Plans for harnessing Bay resources in the making

Experts' meet begins in Dhaka today (Monday) to work out policy guidelines and methodologies of harnessing marine resources from the blocks in the Bay of Bengal that Bangladesh had regained through international arbitration.         
Organisers say the two-day international workshop on 'Blue Economy' is aimed at having better understanding of the dynamics of ocean-based economy and finding ways and means of exploiting the marine resources for sustainable development.
First of its kind in the country, the workshop, to be participated by 32 representatives from 20 countries, will establish links and build relations with countries and organisations working in the field of the blue economy.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the high-profile workshop at a city hotel. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali will chair the concluding session tomorrow (Tuesday).
The participants are coming from countries like Australia, Oman, Sweden, China, Japan, South Africa, Iran, the Philippines, Korea, Sri Lanka, the USA, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, Myanmar, Tanzania and the Netherlands.
The two-day gathering of brains in the sector will bring together policymakers, experts, scientists, academics and industry leaders to explore possibilities of cooperation in key economic and business issues.
"They will also identify elements and course of action for developing a maritime policy and strategy for the country," said an official.
At the meet the experts will deliberate in detail on ocean for food, energy, minerals, water, transport, leisure and health in three working sessions.
The topics of the sessions include ocean resources for sustainable development, access to ocean resources and tapping ocean resources for a prosperous future.