Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has repaid Tk 475.25 crore as part of its loan installment to the government, a milestone hailed by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as a commendable example for state-owned enterprises.
"They stand as a model for state-owned companies," said Yunus while receiving the cheque during a ceremony on Tuesday.
The payment is part of a loan secured by BSC in 2016 from the government and China Exim Bank, amounting to Tk 1,457 crore, to purchase six ships, including three bulk carriers. This investment marked a significant expansion of BSC's fleet after 27 years, with the ships becoming operational between 2018 and 2019.
Currently, five of the vessels are actively transporting goods across international waters under the Bangladesh flag, boosting the nation's shipping sector.
BSC is obligated to repay Tk 2,425 crore, including interest, in several installments over 13 years. The Chief Adviser praised the corporation's consistent profitability and efficient management, underscoring its role as a state-owned success story.
The event was attended by Shipping Ministry Adviser M. Sakhawat Hussain, Shipping Secretary Mohammad Yousuf, and BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek, among others.
