The country needs to formulate necessary policies and develop skilled manpower to utilise the economic prospects of its maritime resources. Sustainable development is possible through utilisation of the existing natural and mineral resources in the Bay of Bengal and its adjoining oceans.
Energy analysts told a discussion meeting jointly organised by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport early this week that the best use of sea and marine resources was vital for the country's future economic growth.
But they aired frustration over the failure to tap the country's living and non-living marine resources for want of technology and skilled manpower. They, however, suggested working out some strategic plans to develop the country's capacity, both in terms of human resources and technological know-how, for harnessing its marine resources.
There is no denying that optimum utilisation of Blue Economy is very much essential to become more prosperous. Sea-related subjects like expansion of international trade, use of marine mineral resources for long-term energy security, proper management of marine fish resources and bio-diversity should determine Bangladesh's future development and economic growth.
Although the country has an abundant stock of living and non-living resources available under the seabed and water column, there is a dearth of skilled manpower to ascertain the availability and explore its resources. As such, creating skilled manpower is just a need of the hour.
On the other hand, there is also lack of proper technology for exploiting deep sea fishes and sea-bed resources. This is an area where technology could turn the nation into a prosperous one through utilising marine-based economic activities and management of sea and its resources.
Over the years, Bangladesh could produce a few tech-savvy skilled personnel due to lack of proper planning and strategies. The end-result is very pathetic. The government and the private sector are being forced to hire skilled and tech-savvy manpower from abroad. In such a way, the country's precious foreign currency is being drained out.
A recent pre-budget meeting with the finance minister was told that Bangladesh is one of the largest remittance sources of India. It is hard to believe that the Indian expatriates, numbering over 500,000 and working in Bangladesh, sent home as much as $3.72 billion last year. Most of the Indians are working in the country's burgeoning readymade garment (RMG) and textile industries as well as its numerous non-government organisations (NGOs).
There are many other high-profile technical hands from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and other countries of the world working in Bangladesh and send a hefty sum of money, in aggregate amounts, to their home countries regularly.
It is high time now to create the country's domestic technical manpower. Its sovereign rights in the Bay, established through the verdicts of the international courts, have created scopes to explore mineral resources from the sea-bed without any obstacle. Bangladesh secured maritime boundaries of 200 nautical miles through legal battles with Myanmar and India.
Blue Economy can undeniably ensure sustainable development, taking into account the advantages of, and strategies for, managing the resources of the blue ocean. It is evident that blue economy demands coordinated efforts for conservation, utilisation and exploitation of related resources.
The government needs now to institutionalise the oceanography and also to strengthen the educational institutions for such studies. The harnessing of mineral and gas resources, as noted earlier, requires building of highly educated manpower. Dhaka and Chittagong universities have recently opened oceanography studies. But there is a shortage of teachers there. Foreign teachers need to be hired to teach the students. Developing knowledge is very important at this stage that Bangladesh is now passing through.
Private sector should come forward with business ideas to explore the huge resources within the country's sea boundary. There are only 200 fishing boats that can surf up to 60 kilometres. That means about 600 kilometres of our maritime areas are left unutilised for fishing. Now, fishing is one of the areas where we have business expertise but the country is yet to witness expansion of its operations to the desired level in this area.
The partnership between the government and private sector is critically important. Even in some cases, the private sector needs to play a more advanced role in exploiting the sea resources. The government should definitely remain at the helm, but it must work with the private sector and extend all possible help.
On its part, the government is committed to exploring the large potential of the sea and sea-resources through proper management to ensure the country's sustainable economic development efforts. To develop human resources and import technology to exploit the resources, there is a need for strong public-private partnership as well as collaboration with countries, having the right kind of expertise in the relevant fields.
The country does have a dearth of skilled manpower, extensive research, technological capacity and knowledge in oceanography to exploit the resources. Reliable data about phytoplankton, or occurrence of bioactive molecules are also not available. Furthermore, proper surveys are needed in the field of marine aquatic products, materials for biotechnology and others.
India, China and other ocean-rim countries are harnessing marine resources through mutual cooperation among themselves. Bangladesh needs to seek both technical cooperation and foreign direct investment (FDI) from countries like those of Japan, India, Canada, the Philippines and South Africa in this regard.
Measures do also need to be taken to impart need-based technical education on oceanography in the universities. Navy and coast guards should be strengthened in order to protect the country's sea resources. Besides, the capacity of private sector must also be raised to build and operate ocean-going vessels.
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