BLUE ECONOMY & BANGLADESH

 Concept of Blue economy: Gunter Pauli designed the Blue economy concept by using the
term in his book- “The blue economy of 10 years-100 innovation-100 million jobs”
published in 2010. All the economical activities which are related with the ocean are the
elements of Blue economy.
 Common elements of Blue economy: sea-borne trade, marine bio-prospects, exploration of
minerals, oils & gases, coastal tourism, production of fish, producing renewable energy etc.
 Objectives of Blue Economy: To achieve sustainable development in terms of using marine
resources & utilization of its prospects.

 Opportunities for Bangladesh:

 The victory of gaining a vast maritime territory from India & Myanmar a few years
ago that is more than 80% of the country’s original size (almost 1,18,813 sq.km), is a
greater opportunity for us.
 Considering the prospects, exploitation of maritime resources by Bangladesh can be
a model for the development of blue economy like EU, UK. Canada, Singapore, Brazil
etc.
 Important sectors for BD to unleash the opportunity:
1. Increasing sea borne trade 6. Exporting salts
2. Ensuring energy security 7. Exploring minerals
3. Exploration of oil & gas 8. Coastal tourism
4. Producing electricity 9. Establishing ship breaking & ship building industries
5. Benefits from fisheries sector 10. Port development

 Challenges & Recommendation/progress:

Challenges
1. Making a policy for sustainable
development & usage of common
resources of the sea
2. Producing skills manpower
3. Ensuring modern technology
4. Ensuring the security of sea area
5. Ensuring the safety while exploration
6. Considering marine ecosystems &
biology
7. Cost effectiveness
Recommendations
1. Govt has already taken some timely steps to impart
higher education on oceanography i.e. marine &
fisheries dept, establishment of Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman Maritime University (BSMRMU) to
create manpower in maritime sector.
2. Govt. initiatives to facilitate mentioned sectors.
3. Development of deep sea ports & different
terminals.