Govt wants to extract oil, gas from Bay: PM

CHITTAGONG, Dec 21 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said two avant-garde Corvettes would be added to the Navy fleet next year and two modern submarines by 2016 as part of its modernization process since the government wants to extract marine resources from the Bay.

"Two modern submarines will be added to the force by 2016 and the process to this end at the final stage, while two avant-garde Corvettes, under construction in China, would be added to the Navy next year and these would further strengthen the naval fleet," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Winter President Parade of the direct entry officers and midshipman of the Navy at Bangladesh Naval Academy here.

Mentioning the high prospects of having oil and natural gas in the Bay of Bengal, she said steps had been taken to extract oil and gas resources which could play a very important role in strengthening the country's economy.

About the Navy's shipbuilding capacity, Sheikh Hasina said Navy members were constructing warships at Khulna Ship Yard and Narayanganj Dockyard making the country self-dependent in shipbuilding.

The Prime Minister said the government had undertaken massive short-, medium- and long-term programmes under Forces Goal-2030 to develop the Navy as an effective three dimensional force. "Bangladesh Navy has entered a new era as her government has already provided two modern helicopters and two maritime patrol aircraft to the force alongside adding 16 new ships."