Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal yesterday said adoption and implementation of appropriate plans are essential to make use of country’s huge marine resources.
“Blue economy has created a unique area in our financial system. Our export trade is dependent on a single sector. It is necessary to bring diversification to this,” he said speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a workshop on ‘Blue Economy’ in the city. The Planning Division organized the workshop at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar NEC conference room. Planning Secretary Tarique Ul Islam moderated the workshop, said an official release. Foreign Ministry’s Maritime Affairs Unit Secretary M Khurshed Alam presented a keynote paper while senior officials of the ministries of Defense, Environment and Forest, Fisheries and Livestock, Shipping, Education, Energy and Mineral resources, Road transport and Highways division, Bangladesh Coastguard, Department of Geological Survey and Water Development Board were present.
Referring to the success of several countries in utilizing blue economy, the planning minister called for learning from the experiences of those countries and work in coordination to harness the country’s huge marine resources. Bangladesh’s economic zone has expanded toward the south in the Bay of Bengal following demarcation of marine boundaries with India and Myanmar, he said and added that these immense possibilities have been created under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2012.
The minister said everything possible would be done to make the proper use of marine resources without affecting the environment and ecology.
