Bangladesh will launch direct shipping services with South Africa and Morocco soon, shipping minister Shajahan Khan said on Thursday.
"We will launch direct shipping services with Durban and Cape Town ports of South Africa and Tanger-Med port of Morocco," he said.
He was speaking to reporters at the ministry after visiting the two countries recently.
He said the port authorities of South Africa and Morocco would provide technical support for the overall development of Chittagong port.
He said three countries would soon sign memoranda of understanding soon for launching shipping connectivity with the two African countries.
The shipping minister said that if direct shipping links among the ports of the three countries are established, it will help significantly reduce time and cost of doing business.
Earlier, a high-powered government delegation led by the shipping minister visited South Africa and Morocco from 15 to 23 January last.
During their stay, the team visited the three ports in the two African countries and returned home Wednesday.
