Maritime security

THE government is looking to International Maritime Organization (IMO) for support in sustainable growth of Bangladesh's marine institutions. Though the maritime sector in the country is a crucial one, more focus needs to be given on capacity building, quality of maritime education, and on ensuring environmental protection for maritime safety and security. Foreign Minister Dipu Moni made this request to the visiting IMO Secretary General Koji Sekimizu.
As Bangladesh is a country that deals with the negative impacts of climate change it is important that safety and security measures and training are given to the maritime employees and students. The institutions need updating of their curriculum taking into consideration the circumstances of Bangladesh. We have a very promising maritime sector, and the shipbuilding industry is also an area of development in the country. Proper training and environmental safety measures will also encourage more Bangladeshis to join this sector, which will increase livelihood options for the country in general.
Without further ado, our government, the shipbuilding industry and the maritime institutions need to put their minds together and develop an environmentally sustainable, economic-growth-friendly and livelihood options-creating plan and put it into implementation. We can seek help from IMO and other international organizations but we cannot delay the process of this growth by depending on others.