Steps to extract sea resources in 5yrs

Terming the sea a huge source of resources, including fisheries, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government is taking initiatives to start the extraction of these resources within the next five years.

"Or else, there's a fear of losing these opportunities. So, we're trying to take steps fast," she said while addressing the inaugural session of the National Fisheries Week 2016 held at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in the capital.

Citing the winning of maritime boundary cases against India and Myanmar, Hasina said Bangladesh has potential of fisheries resources in the sea which need to be extracted. So, the government has put emphasis on "Blue Economy".

As Bangladesh has no experience of extracting resources from the deep sea, an international tender was floated in this regard and four companies participated in the bid, she mentioned.

The PM also called upon the country's businesspeople and exporters to maintain the high quality and standards of their products and exportable items and thus uphold the country's image and maintain their own reputation.

Laboratories have already been set up in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna to maintain the quality and standards of the exportable items, while steps have been taken to examine the exportable fisheries items to maintain their hygiene, she said.

Earlier, the PM distributed five gold medals and 15 silver medals among 20 individuals and institutions for their outstanding contribution to fish production in the country. Each of the gold medal recipients also received a Tk 50,000 cheque, while a silver medal recipient got a Tk 30,000 cheque.

Hasina noted that Bangladesh currently ranked 4th in the world in terms of fisheries production from the sweet water sources, and there is a very good chance to grab the first place if all concerned take more care, considering the level of rivers, canals, beels, haors and water bodies that the country have.

The PM also released fish fry into a lake inside the Gono Bhaban, marking the National Fisheries Week 2016.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sayedul Hoque spoke on the occasion, while the ministry Secretary Maksudul Hasan Khan delivered the address of welcome.