Seminar on sustainable maritime dev held

With an aim to increase awareness on blue economy, a daylong international seminar on “Maritime Good Governance towards Sustainable Development” was held at a hotel in Dhaka yesterday.

Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD) organised the seminar. Security Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique spoke as chief guest, said an ISPR press release.

BIMRAD Chief Patron and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed was present at the event, among others.

Maritime experts from Bangladesh, India, the US, Malaysia and Sri Lanka presented keynote papers at the seminar.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between BIMRAD, National Maritime Foundation of India, Daniel K Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies of the US, and Sri Lanka's Pathfinder Foundation on exchanging information, technologies, trainings and cooperation on maritime sector.

Addressing the seminar, Tarique Ahmed said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formulated the Maritime Zones Act in 1974, realising the importance of maritime resources.

Later, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has become successful in determining maritime boundary with the neighbouring countries peacefully.

There is no alternative to the blue economy to achieve the target of transforming Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041, he added.

Nizamuddin Ahmed said knowledge-based discussions in the seminar will help ensure maritime good governance towards sustainable development.