Tap marine resources for country's development
PM asks Navy while awarding National Standard to BN Dockyard; she also inaugurated Bangabandhu Complex at Bangladesh Naval Academy
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked Bangladesh Navy to tap the vast marine resources of the country for its economic development.
"The Navy will have to play its due role in protecting the sovereignty of the maritime areas as disputes on those with India and Myanmar have been peacefully settled," she said.
The prime minister was addressing a programme at BNS Issa Khan parade ground on the occasion of awarding National Standard to BN Dockyard and inauguration of Bangabandhu Complex at Bangladesh Naval Academy.
Asking Bangladesh Navy to implement various programmes relating to Blue Economy, the prime minister hoped that the Navy personnel will discharge their duties effectively, imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War.
Hasina said the handing over of the National Standard to BN Dockyard will be considered as a glorious episode in the history of Bangladesh Navy as the dockyard will further strengthen the Navy's capabilities and dignity by rendering services with professional efficiency and patriotism.
BN Dockyard has achieved self-reliance in the maintenance work of warships by maintaining international standard, Hasina said, adding that the government has been taking various steps to modernise and strengthen Bangladesh Navy's capabilities as a three-dimensional force.
Bangladesh has formally started its journey as a developing country -- a recognition for the nation to take pride in, said the PM.
This recognition has moved Bangladesh one more step forward in its path of becoming the Golden Bengal, as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she added.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed and Commodore Superintendent of the dockyard Commodore Moinul Haque received the prime minister on her arrival at BN Dockyard.
An attractive parade of different units of Bangladesh Navy was arranged on the occasion while the prime minister inspected the parade and took salute.
She handed over the national flag to BN Dockyard Commanding Officer Imtiyaz Uddin.