Experts at a seminar on Saturday said that most of the ocean as well as the Bay of Bengal still remains unexplored.
There is no alternative, but to emphasize more on investment in the blue economy, based on marine resources to achieve prosperity for the country in the future.
They also said that even if there is a huge ocean, its opening is still far behind. The economy of the country will be the strongest if the vast potential mineral resources are extracted from the sea along with fisheries resources, tourism. As a result, income will increase, and employment will be created.
Cox’s Bazar Development Authority and Junior Chamber International jointly organised the seminar titled ‘Unveiling the potential of Bangladesh's blue economy’ at the conference room of Cox’s Bazar Development Authority.
Chairman of Cox’s Bazar Development Authority Commodore (retd) Mohammad Nurul Absar presided over the seminar, while Saimum Sarwar Kamal, MP from Cox’s Bazar-3 constituency, attended the seminar as the chief guest. Chairman of Department of Oceanography of Dhaka University KM Azam Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion, among others.
Head of Department of Geological Oceanography at Bangladesh Marine Research Institute, Mohammad Zakaria presented an article on the country’s marine environment and marine resources and their sustainable use and conservation, in the seminar.
The speakers of the seminar said that Cox's Bazar with its extensive coastline and rich marine resources stands as a beacon of untapped potential. The district possesses a unique blend of natural beauty and economic potential.
“By harnessing the potential of a green economy, we can create a more prosperous future for our people,” said Saimum Sarwar.
The seminar promises many opportunities, such as modern fisheries management, tourism development, port development, sustainable development, innovation and investment, empowerment of related industries and linkages and above all domestic and international connectivity.
A green economy could contribute an additional $6.00 billion annually to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, indicating enormous potential for economic growth. “We need to work hand in hand to harness the potential of Cox's Bazar and above all the green economy to create a prosperous and sustainable future for all,” said Saimum Sarwar.
Commodore (Retd.) Mohammad Nurul Abshar said that Bangladesh’s extensive coastline and Bay of Bengal expansion are a treasure trove of untapped potential within the Blue Economy paradigm. “The green economy focuses on the sustainable use of ocean resources. This is perfectly in line with our vision of growth. It plays a vital role especially in the context of our growing tourism sector,” he added.
He also said, “Our coastal region, especially Cox's Bazar, is famous not only for its natural beauty but also for its abundant resources, including fisheries and aquaculture and soon-to-be trade and of course tourism, which are very important to us. We seek innovative strategies and collaborative partnerships to unlock the immense potential of our Blue Economy, with a strong focus on sustainable tourism.”
Mohammad Nurul Abshar said that the purpose of this seminar is – we have gathered a distinguished panel of experts and thought leaders from various fields related to green economy and sustainable tourism to share our thoughts. In terms of collaborative networking, our Blue Economy initiative and this seminar for the tourism industry include seeking collaborative avenues for stakeholders from various sectors to move forward together.
Emphasizing the importance of innovation and investment, we consistently uphold the principles of strategy, responsible and sustainable development to optimize our marine resources and tourism potential.
He further said, we need an enabling environment that accelerates the growth of the Blue Economy and ensures sustainable development of our tourism sector in Bangladesh. To implement these, we must collectively pave the way for transformative action. That will boost our economic growth, preserve our precious natural environment and improve the quality of life in our coastal communities. Remember that we have the power to chart the path to prosperity, which is a clear and bright future for Bangladesh, and play an important and responsible role in the tourism sector.