Dhaka, Sep 7 (IANS): The construction of two 675 tonne large patrol craft (LPC), the biggest such construction project in Bangladesh, has begun in the Khulna Shipyard in the country's west.

Inaugurating the project, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Khulna Shipyard would be capable of exporting developed and modern warships in future, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Khulna Shipyard is now constructing and repairing warships for Bangladesh Navy along with building large ocean going ships. I believe that it would be able to export developed and modern battle ships in future," she said.

Bangladesh has started to tap the growing demand of constructing ships in global market as many countries are now showing interest in Khulna Shipyard, the prime minister said.

Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman of Board of Directors of Khulna Shipyard Vice-Admiral Farid Habib and Managing Director of Khulna Shipyard Commodore M Khurshid Malik were among those present at the ceremony.