Due to lack of our knowledge and capabilities we are yet to utilise our Blue Economy potential. Unless we have the skilled manpower and technology, we cannot harness blue economy.
Head of the Maritime Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshid Alam said this while presenting the keynote paper at a workshop titled ‘Role of Tourism in the Blue Economy’ organised by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) held at Parjatan Bhaban in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Sunday.
“As a national we all know we live in a riverine country and our knowledge is still limited with riverine capacity. We need to come out from such limitation, there are huge resources under the sea. The appropriate action plan is needed to harness the potential. All ministries need a concerted effort,” he said.
“We are eighth in fish production, but we do not have the capacity of fishing in deep sea. A huge potential can be achieved only through deep water fishing. If we can develop our fishing skill in deep sea, this sector can solely take us to billion dollar export position,” he added.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism at the workshop Md Mahbub Ali said, “The government has various plans for blue economy. Outline is the use of marine resources to play a role in the economy. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is taking initiative to move ahead in sea tourism besides extracting resources.”
Mahbub Ali said, "We are trying again and again, as long as we are not aware, we will not be successful. We have the potential. Investment will increase if people have faith. Foreigners will be more interested in investing in tourism in Bangladesh. We need a change of mindset. Tourists cannot forcibly bring trouists. When the environment is created, they will come naturally. Bangladesh is now safe for tourism.”
Department of Energy and Mineral Resources Senior Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain said, “Are we ethnically tourism friendly? We are yet to learn how to enjoy tourism. Ten years back we didn't know anything about blue economy. Still there are not many changes. We need to identify those lackings.”
BPC chairman Ali Kadar said, “We need a better plan. With a proper plan we need inclusive work plan too. There is a need for investment and skilled manpower. But we don't have skilled manpower.”
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Aliullah, Local Government Secretary Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Dr Muhammad Yamin Chowdhury and Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Md Mostafa Kamal were present, among others.
