Harnessing the Potential of Blue Economy

France embassy in Dhaka and the Blue Economy Cell under power, energy and mineral resources ministry jointly organised a day-long workshop titled ‘Harnessing the Potential of Blue Economy’ in the city on 29th March. Blue Economy workshop emphasises on turning blue economy strategy into an action plan.

Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on energy and mineral resources Md Tajul Islam attended the seminar as chief guest.  Ambassador of France in Dhaka Sophie Aubert, fisheries and livestock secretary Md Maksudul Hasan Khan, energy and mineral resources division secretary Nazimuddin Chowdhury and Blue Economy Cell additional secretary Golam Shafiuddin also spoke at the inaugural session of the seminar.

Sharing France’s experience, Sophie Aubert informed that their blue economy accounted for 270 billion Euro a year, which was 14 per cent of the GDP. Speaking at the seminar, the French ambassador said that seas and oceans were the new frontiers and it was important to explore the development of societies.

In the coming years, the maritime revolution, which already started, would play the most vital role in the economy, she said.  Earlier, the civilisation experienced a series of economic and industrial revolutions while the most recent one was the digital revolution, she added. Aubert put emphasis on turning blue economy strategy adopted by Bangladesh into an action plan through joint efforts.

Tajul Islam said that the country had huge untapped potentials in the offshore areas which were completely ready for exploration, particularly after settlement of disputes over maritime boundaries with its two neighbours.