Experts at a workshop on Tuesday said that the prospect and potential of Blue Economy is enormous and it is possible to earn more than $2.5 billion by the year 2030. They urged the authorities concerned to remove the bottlenecks in implementing the policy decision and the masterplan that has already designed in this regard. The workshop was held at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar. The Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) organized the workshop in collaboration with some government agencies concerned.
Md Shafiqur Islam, Expert, JICA presented keynote paper in the workshop. ERF President Refayetullah Mirdha presided over the inaugural session while ERF Joint Secretary Mizamur Rahman moderated the event.
Former ERF Presidents Sharmin Rinvy, Saiful Islam Dilal, General Secretaries SM Rashidul Islam, Md Nurul Islam Khan , Abdur Rahim Haramachi, among others, addressed the workshop. Describing the potential of ocean resources, the keynote speaker said a comprehensive planning and its strict implementation is a must to practically tap the blue economy potentials.
Expressing concern over the environment issues, experts suggested to take serious measures to keep the seashore areas clean and preventing tourists from throwing plastic elements and other wastage and this has to be ensured through enacting laws. The government has urged JICA to provide technical support in preserving sea fish, to keep them fresh and toxin free. Fisheries Enhancement & Livelihood Project (FELP) is working for better production of dried fish or ‘Shutki’.