Mumbai, Oct 1 (ANI): Emphasising that India's growing economy offers excellent opportunities for maritime sector, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday said there is an urgent need to develop shipping in tune with the global economic environment.
Addressing the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Shipping Corporation of India in Mumbai, Dr. Singh said: "As our maritime sector, including shipping, ports, shipbuilding and ship-repair, is of vital significance to our economy, we should collectively make every effort possible for the growth of this vital sector."
"However, we should also ensure adequate Indian control over our maritime activity, for reasons of maritime security. In the context of India's growing international trade and increasing energy demand and dependence on global energy markets, there is an urgent need to further develop our national fleet," he added.
He also said that a good transport infrastructure is critical for the country's growth and coastal and inland shipping needs to be developed in an environment-friendly and fuel-efficient manner.
"We should look seriously I suggest, at coastal shipping and the development of inland waterways as environment friendly and fuel efficient modes of transport for optimizing the overall logistics cost and reaching the hinterland of our country," he added.
Dr. Manmohan Singh emphasised the need for seamless integration of various modes of transport and ensuring good road and rail connectivity for the ports.
He said, a National Transport Development Policy committee has been set up which will provide useful suggestions for future growth.
"We have set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee under the chairmanship of Dr Rakesh Mohan, and I am confident that the Committee will provide useful suggestions for the future growth of the sector in years to come," he added.
Dr. Singh also released a coffee table book to mark the golden jubilee of the Shipping Corporation of India. (ANI)
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