The Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) has identified deep-sea fishing and blue economy expansion as the new frontier for Maheshkhali’s transformation, placing the sector alongside industrialization, energy hub development, and deep-sea port as its fourth strategic pillar.
The decision came at a high-level stakeholder consultation held on Monday, chaired by MIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, and attended by senior officials from key ministries and agencies engaged in Blue Economy activities.
“It is a universally accepted view that Maheshkhali holds immense potential, particularly due to its strategic geographic location,” said Chowdhury, adding that deep-sea fishing has now been elevated to national priority status following consultations with the Chief Adviser.
The meeting focused on shaping an integrated action plan to drive deep-sea fishing, mariculture, 100% export-oriented seafood processing, aquaculture, and marine research in Bangladesh’s maritime areas.
MIDA Executive Member Commodore Tanzim Faruq presented a detailed framework outlining the necessary regulatory, logistical, and investment steps, while Executive Member Md. Sarowar Alam emphasized the need for rapid policy reforms to unlock growth in this emerging sector.
As part of the discussions, the meeting adopted a set of time-bound measures to fast-track sectoral progress, including speedy approval of long-liner and support vessels, simplified jetty clearance in Khurushkul, and issuance of deep-sea fishing licenses for anchor investors.
It also endorsed bond facilities for export-oriented seafood processors, special incentive schemes such as reduced electricity tariffs for shrimp and seafood industries, and investor-friendly systems for importing, processing, and re-exporting high-value species like scallop, vannamei, tuna, and salmon.
In addition, authorities agreed to allocate coastal land for mariculture, allow processing and export of local by-catch, and register all sea-going fishing boats and trawlers to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Senior officials from the Ministries of Fisheries and Livestock, Commerce, and Environment, along with representatives from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and Cox’s Bazar district administration, participated in the meeting held at BIDA’s conference room.
MIDA said it will now consolidate the meeting outcomes into an integrated implementation roadmap to be advanced through regular coordination among relevant ministries and agencies.
