Separate Ministry for blue economy sought

Sustainable Development

Staff Correspondent: State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam has proposed to establish a separate ministry for the blue economy or a separate division under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
He emphasized on the contribution of the blue economy to Bangladesh’s future sustainable development endeavors.
While speaking as the chief guest at a seminar, the State Minister emphasized on two specific issues for the sustainable development and proper utilization of the blue economy – resource exploration and resource exploitation. He also highlighted the importance of knowledge mobilization and conducting research on the subject matter.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized the hybrid seminar on “Blue Economy and Maritime Security: Bangladesh Perspective” on Thursday.
Secretary, Maritime Affairs Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd) Md. Khurshed Alam attended the seminar as a special guest. BIISS Chairman Kazi Imtiaz Hossain chaired the inaugural session while its Director General Major General Mohammad Maksudur Rahman delivered the welcome remarks.
The BIISS DG emphasized on creating a blue economy belt to utilize the huge untapped resources of the vast area of the sea.
Kazi Imtiaz Hossai stressed ensuring maritime security and harnessing the potential of the blue economy.
Secretary Khurshed Alam highlighted the potential of marine resources in the country’s economy along with some of the challenges. In the working session, four presentations were made. Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Professor of International Relations, Jahangirnagar University, made a presentation on “Blue Economy and Ocean Governance: Bangladesh Perspective”.
A presentation titled “Maritime Security and Strategy in the Bay of Bengal” was made by Professor Dr Delwar Hossain, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, and Member, Bangladesh Public Service Commission.
Moutusi Islam, BIISS Research Fellow made a presentation on “Nexus between Maritime Security and Blue Economy: Implications for Bangladesh in Post-Covid Era”.
A presentation titled “Bangladesh’s Economic Prospect in the Bay of Bengal” was made by Dr Mahfuz Kabir, BIISS Research Director.
The working session was chaired by Ambassador M Humayun Kabir, President, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI).
Senior officials from different ministries, ambassadors and high commissioners, senior civil and military officials, media, academia, think tanks, business personalities, students and teachers from different universities participated in the open session.
They stressed the importance of the blue economy and marine resources to the country’s economy and future development endeavors.
They also highlighted different issues of maritime security in the context of Bangladesh.