We are working on the development of Bangladesh through creating economic growth that is inclusive and sustainable. We are ensuring healthy and productive waters and we are trying to build safe and resilient communities. We protect our aquatic ecosystems and communities and also develop our marine resources. We are a community of researchers determined to achieve our goals.
Bangladesh’s coastal area is not uniform, nor is it static. It is dynamic, and so are the people of Bangladesh. It is estimated that Bangladesh has acquired 118,813 square kilometers of the Bay of Bengal. The areas of resources include 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone and over 354 nautical miles of resources on seabed (continental shelf). It is estimated that the resources from the sea of Bangladesh constitute 81% of the resources existing in its land territory. some initiatives like boosting the naval power with submarines and equipping these with modern and adequate arms. Government have launched a Blue Economy Cell to ensure coordination between the functions of all relevant agencies. To create experts for handling this blue economy, the government has taken initiative to educate people by opening relevant departments in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University. A National Oceanographic Research Institute is going to be established in Cox's Bazar with a view to creating a marine scientific community for research. Bangladesh is a maritime nation with great strategic importance and huge economic potential. To explore such maritime potential a wide range of topics related to strategic and security issues of the ocean and exploration of maritime resources, renewable energy and future economic prospects in the Bay of Bengal region these issues should be researched and developed to keep pace with other Maritime Nations. Sustainable economy is a very significant issue in the world while blue economy has become part and parcel, which is also a goal (Goal 14) of SDGs which wants to "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans and seas and marine resources for sustainable development". Marine sectors are expected to expand dramatically, in the coming years, with most doubling or quadrupling in size by 2030, and others growing up to 10 times their current size. For achieving SDGs and materializing the dream of becoming a developed country by 2041, there is no alternative but to focus on blue economy. To keep pace and to be at par with the developing world in the field of Maritime research and development we have started an initiative that is a project “Sustainable Blue Economy for the Development of Bangladesh”.
Asif Mahmud Arnob
BBA in Port Management and Logistics (1st Batch)
BSMRMU.