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Proceedings of MARTEC 2022
The International Conference on Marine Technology
21-22 December 2022, BUET, Dhaka, Bangladesh

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BLUE ECONOMY STATUS AND INITIATIVES

BETWEEN BANGLADESH AND CHINA

ASM Mahadi1, Shahriar Ahmed1, Md. Mashiur Rahaman1* and N.M.Golam Zakaria1
1
Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering,
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET),
Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
*Email: mashiurrahaman@name.buet.ac.bd

ABSTRACT

The blue economy is an innovative business model which emphasizes carrying out economic activities
in symbiosis with nature. It has gained much attention among many countries aiming to accelerate their
economic growth through the sustainable exploitation of marine resources. Bangladesh, the world's
largest delta, has also been keen to adopt the concept, especially after winning a large ocean territory
through international arbitration. The existing literature on this topic reveals the status of various
marine sector and government initiatives. However, where Bangladesh stands regarding blue economic
growth and government initiatives from a global perspective still needs to be clarified. This study
examines the country's status in the Blue Economy race by comparing it with a pioneering country in
this sector, China. The analysis is based on a literature review of both country's blue economies, and a
comparison is drawn on various critical aspects of blue economic success. The obtained results are
very eye opening as some significant gaps in the Blue Economic effort of Bangladesh are revealed. The
main objective of this study has been to generate insightful lessons and put forward inspiring examples
that can be locally adapted to uplift the country's position in the blue growth race. Many initiatives
taken by China in terms of innovation and policymaking have the potential to be feasible in Bangladesh
because of socio-economic and geographical similarities. The paper concludes with key differences in
the efforts of both countries and sheds light on the lessons that Bangladesh can consider to become a
model for blue economic growth.

Keywords: blue economy, policy, blue growth, governance, maritime

1. INTRODUCTION

Goal 2, Goal 9, Goal 14 and Goal 17 have a direct

In the 21st century, the rising global population and the
relationship with the development of shipbuilding and
fast depletion of earth’s land-based resources have
the "Blue economy" [2]. To attain Blue Economy
reignited interest in the ocean’s economic potential.
objectives, the GoB (Government of Bangladesh) is
However, with the growing desire and improved
convening and joining high-level international
capacity to industrialize the oceans, there is a risk that
conversations. Nevertheless, Bangladesh is still in the
marine resources would rapidly deplete if not handled
early stages of embracing the concept and confronts
appropriately. Thus, a need to reimagine how seas
several technological and financial restrictions to
might be studied, monitored and managed more
accomplish the Blue Economy objectives. So, for
efficiently has evolved. Against this backdrop, the
Bangladesh, there is an opportunity to learn from other
concept of the Blue Economy was established to adapt
countries practices in developing its Blue Economy [1].
to the changing economic demands, ecological needs
In order to unravel the condition of the blue economy
and the dynamics of global climate change. Contrary to
of Bangladesh from a global perspective, this study
earlier approaches which concentrated on resource
chooses China for comparison. China has robustly
extraction and financial advantages, Blue Economy
integrated the Blue Economy concept inside its
aims to strike a balance.
strategic framework. The geographical resemblance is
also noticeable between the two countries.
If Bangladesh utilizes its marine resources wisely, it is
Bangladesh's land mass is formed mainly by the
certainly possible for her to be a middle-income
Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, the biggest delta in the
country within a short time [1].
world [3]. Similarly, the coastal region of China hosts
two delta river deltas: the Yangtze River Delta Region
Besides, the Government of Bangladesh has set 17 and the Pearl River Delta Region, making it a suitable
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) where Goal 1,

A comparative study of blue economy status and initiatives between Bangladesh and China 66-1

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446255


country for comparison. So how China so effectively
accomplished blue growth and what lessons it might
teach Bangladesh is a question worth addressing.
In order to answer this, the study reviews existing
literature on Blue Economy that comprises books,
journal articles, government and non-government
policy papers and documents, newspaper and internet-
based articles and so on. Data and information utilized
in the paper are based on secondary sources.
2. ADOPTION AND CURRENT STATUS OF
BLUE ECONOMY IN CHINA AND
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh now has 118,813 km2 of the territorial sea,
200 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),
and a sizeable portion of the extended continental shelf
after its maritime dispute with its neighbors India and
Myanmar was resolved. Bangladesh's marine zone,
nearly the size of the entire nation, has produced
enormous ocean-based economic growth and
development prospects. The GoB has expressed
interest in pursuing the Blue Economy concept as part
of the nation's growth strategy. The GoB has held
several workshops and consultations on the blue
economy since 2015. In addition, Bangladesh's
Seventh Five Year Plan outlined twelve activities that
must be implemented to preserve a thriving and
sustainable Blue Economy. These actions cover,
among other things, fisheries, renewable energy,
human resources, transshipment, tourism, and climate
change. The "Blue Economy Cell" was established by
the GoB in 2017 to coordinate Blue Economy projects
within sectoral ministries [1].
The world's fastest-growing economy, China, has a
wealth of blue resources at its disposal, which may help
it continue to experience rapid growth. It has a long
coastline of 32,000 km, which includes a continental
shelf and an EEZ with 24 billion tons of marine oil and
1.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves. To
supplement its terrestrial resources, the Chinese
government strongly emphasizes marine and ocean
resources. The Chinese government is aware of the
significance of the marine economy and has stated that
"developing maritime power depends in large part on a
thriving marine economy." The 12th Five-Year Plan
for National and Social Growth, 2011–2015, which for
the first time focused on the maritime economy's
development, is where Blue Economy gained
relevance in terms of the policy. The Plan's main goal
was to grow the marine industries while maximizing
the Blue Economy's organizational structure [1].
In the case of China, the marine economy was
estimated to have a value of US$ 989.3 billion in
2015[1]. A World Bank analysis estimates that the
ocean economy contributed US$ 6,192.98 million, or
A comparative study of blue economy status and initiatives between Bangladesh and China
Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446255
Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com
roughly 3.33% of Bangladesh's GDP, to the country's
total value added in 2014–15 [4].
3.1. Definition
The phrase "blue economy," first used in 1994 by
Professor Gunter Pauli, gained broad acceptance by the
2010s despite no general agreement on the concept [1].
The phrase "blue economy" encompasses a variety of
controversial interpretations and definitions today
rather than being a coherent agenda for legislative
action. The vast connections between economic
development and ecological sustainability are typically
highlighted in the majority of prominent definitions
from the English language and multilateral institutions,
employing techniques like economic accounting and
marine spatial planning [5]. How the blue economy is
portrayed and implemented in various nation-states is
directly related to national development agendas, and
how the blue economy's primarily global rhetoric
connects to regional, national, and local concerns needs
to be thoroughly investigated [5].
Understanding each country's definition of the "Blue
Economy" is necessary to comprehend its distinct
policy framework. The seventh five-year plan, adopted
by the GoB, defines the blue economy as activities that
directly or indirectly take place in the seas, oceans, and
coasts using marine resources and ultimately
contributing to sustainable, inclusive economic
growth, employment, and well-being while preserving
the health of the ocean. It entails endeavors like the
discovery and exploitation of marine resources,
prudent use of ocean and coastal areas, consumption of
marine products, and the provision of goods and
services to aid in marine endeavors and the
preservation of the maritime environment [4]. The
Chinese government saw the blue economy as a
modernization process. Modernization is a concept that
has been extensively theorized in the social sciences,
notably in the Chinese context, and is intrinsically
ambiguous from many angles. Hu Angang, a well-
known nationalist Chinese professor, has provided one
definition of modernization in China: "the process of a
series of modern elements and combination modes in
society, displaying ground-breaking change or reform
from a low to a high level" [5].
3.2. Scientific Innovation of the Marine
Industry
China has developed six national marine economic
innovation and development demonstration zones and
seven national industrial demonstration bases in an
effort to reinvigorate the marine sector through science
and technology. The Blue Silicon Valley, the
Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone, and the
strategic partnership between maritime parks and bases
are a few of these initiatives [6].
In Bangladesh, economic zones are called Export
Processing Zones (EPZs). An EPZ here is described as
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a territory or a stand-alone economic enclave in which
goods may be imported and manufactured, and
reshipped with reduced duties and taxes and minimal
intervention by the customs officials. It is an area
where potential investors would find a congenial
investment climate with custom and tax incentives and
simplified dealing and handling procedures [7]. Dhaka,
Chattogram, Mongla, Cumilla, Ishwardi, Uttara
(Nilphamari), Adamjee, and Karnaphuli are the eight
EPZs in Bangladesh right now. A total of 572
organizations got permission for their setup in the EPZs
till February 2019[8]. However, no EPZ dedicated to
Blue Economy exists yet.
3.3. Policy and Acts
The Chinese government is moving in the direction of
sustainable development in response to the dire
circumstances of tight resource limits, severe
environmental pollution, and destroyed ecosystems.
The concept of an ecological civilization that respects
nature conforms to and protects nature is established.
In March 2018, China launched the largest reform of
the State Council in the past 40 years, in which
resources and environmental reforms were prominent.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has been
established, and it has consistently carried out its duties
as the owner of all natural resource assets, manager of
all land use, and protector and restorer of the ecological
environment [6].
As mentioned in section 2, In 2017, the GoB
established the "Blue Economy Cell' with the mandate
to coordinate Blue Economy initiatives across sectoral
ministries [1].
So far, it has failed to produce any visible impact, much
of the marine resources remain underused, and the
ocean's health is still at risk.
3.4 Sectors
The ocean economy of Bangladesh is described here,
as it has been in previous Government of Bangladesh
reports, consisting of 26 industries and services,
classified following ISIC categories and data
availability. These industries and services cover these
seven sectors—living resources, minerals, energy,
transport and trade, tourism and recreation, carbon
sequestration, and coastal protection. The largest
continental shelf region in the Bay of Bengal is
submerged under Bangladeshi ocean waters. There are
several estuaries along the shore, and farther inland,
230 rivers that stretch for 24,000 kilometers are home
to substantial freshwater fisheries, small lakes (beels),
perennial bodies of water on floodplains, and transient
lakes produced by heavy rains or flash floods. Around
5.5 million hectares of fertile floodplains support a
A comparative study of blue economy status and initiatives between Bangladesh and China
Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446255
Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com
significant amount of aquaculture production. Since
ancient times, salt has been mined along Bangladesh's
coasts, generating an estimated 5 million direct and
indirect jobs, sustaining up to 25 million people. The
system consists of a network of portable mills that
refine unrefined salt that is extracted from Table 1.
Saltpans on Cox's Bazar beaches. Despite the
considerable potential, there has not been any oil and
gas production in Bangladeshi waters up to this point.
Through inland and coastal networks, 231.5 million
passengers are conveyed annually. 2,500 foreign ships
travelled to and from Bangladesh in a single year,
transporting goods worth a total of US$ 67 billion in
maritime trade and other modes of transportation.
Along with India and Pakistan, Bangladesh has been a
significant hub of the shipbreaking industry since the
1980s (mainly in Chittagong) as an alternative to
shipbuilding. In terms of leisure and recreation visitor
days, marine and coastal tourism account for around
16% of the overall sector in the nation. Natural or
nature-based elements can significantly reduce the risk
of damage from coastal flooding. Millions of people in
Bangladesh and India benefit from the coastal
protection provided by the mangrove forests of the
Sundarbans. Although the cost of carbon sequestration
as an ecosystem service is sometimes unquantified, a
recent study indicated that the loss of mangroves
worldwide has caused up to US$ 42 billion in
economic losses annually as a result of increased
greenhouse gas emissions [4].
While marine economic growth refers to the expansion
of the entire marine economy, which includes both the
marine industry and ocean-related sectors, the internal
structure of the marine industry in China refers to the
specialization and diversity of the leading marine
industry. Marine mining, marine salt, marine
biomedicine, marine power, marine water utilization,
marine information services, marine insurance and
social security industry, marine agriculture and
forestry, marine products and materials, marine
manufacturing and installation, marine wholesale and
retail, and marine services are all included in China's
broader classification of the marine industry [9].
China is a pioneering nation in the marine industry,
home to almost all of it worldwide. Bangladesh is
working to develop its maritime sector. Bangladesh has
a powerful economy in the marine fisheries, tourism,
and transportation sectors, but it lags in other areas,
such as power, shipbreaking, and minerals. Again,
Bangladesh has no marine chemical, biomedical,
agricultural, or forestry business. Similar to China,
Bangladesh still needs an advanced marine forecasting
and research department. The maritime sector
comparison between Bangladesh and China is in
tabular form in Table 1.
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3.5. Pollution Governance
China designated local government heads as river
chiefs and bay chiefs around the nation to clean up and
protect its water resources. Shandong presented a new
pollution control strategy of “governing river first,
addressing land and sea in a coordinated way.” In
Shandong, 15 rivers poured into Laizhou Bay. In order
to accomplish the responsibility of administration and
protection, Laizhou built a three-level “river chief”
organization system of city, town and village. A total
Table 1: Comparison between Bangladesh and China
Sector
Marine fisheries
Offshore oil and gas industry
Marine mining
Marine salt industry
Marine manufacture industry
Marine chemical industry
Marine biomedical industry
Marine engineering and construction
Marine power industry
Transportation and trade
Coastal tourism
Marine environmental monitoring and forecasting services
Marine science research
Marine agriculture and forestry
Environmental protection
Microplastics are an essential component of marine
litter and one of the leading global marine pollution
problems stemming from the indiscriminate disposal of
plastic components. Large quantities of plastics collect
in estuaries and coasts, which impacts the natural
marine environment in coastal areas, and ultimately
affects the tourism business, citizens living nearby and
port terminals. Therefore, marine microplastics
severely affect the sustainable exploitation of the blue
economy. The government is the coordinator of
cooperative governance of microplastics. China
launched an exceptional initiative in this regard. Since
2007, China has actively carried out marine debris
control activities and organized marine debris
monitoring and evaluation in more than 50
representative regions along the coast. The monitoring
region generally comprises places of great public
concern as well as sea areas where there is a
considerable amount of possible marine debris and
may impair the environmental quality of the sea area.
The monitoring contents include types, numbers,
weights and origins of beach waste, floating garbage
and undersea garbage. Since 2016, China has also
implemented microplastic monitoring, microplastics
research and preventive study, and polar and ocean
A comparative study of blue economy status and initiatives between Bangladesh and China
Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4446255
Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com
of 13 city-level “river chief,” 44 town-level “river
chief,” and 662 village-level “river chief” were
established. Since 2017, Laizhou has focused on the
holistic management of the Baishal River, Nanyang
River and Zhenzhu River basins. A total of 42 million
yuan has been invested, around 25,000 meters of silt
have been swept up, more than 30 sewage outlets have
been closed, and 64 contaminated aquaculture families
have been outlawed. After the linking of the “river
chief” and the “bay chief,” the problem of recurring
pollution in the Bay has been fundamentally solved [6].
Bangladesh China
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microplastics inquiry and monitoring. China also
scientifically and strictly controls marine debris in
compliance with relevant laws and regulations,
technical standards and international treaties, and
prevents solid waste such as plastic garbage from
damaging the natural marine environment [6].
Bangladesh has ratified major international treaties and
issues to preserve the marine pollution that governs the
global level. However, due to the lack of a sufficient
national legal framework and the government's
willingness, these conventions have yet to be ratified.
The Marine Fishery Ordinance, 1983 (MFO) was
created to cope with the restrictions on marine fish-
catching tactics along the coastal area of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1983
assigned the control of shipping activities, including
avoidance of shipping pollution, and the Bangladesh
Coast Guard Act, 1994 was conducted for the
management of maritime security, including Marine
environmental protection against pollution. The
government of Bangladesh adopted the Environment
Court Act 2010 to establish environment courts for trial
and offence. However, not a single case has yet been
taken to the environmental court on maritime
contamination—no government institutions in
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Bangladesh monitor marine pollution and its potential
repercussions [7].
4. LESSONS TO BE CONSIDERED
4.1. Marine Pollution Control
The sustainability of the environment is the core of the
blue economy. To accomplish the blue growth target,
GoB should take several legislative and administrative
actions. China has developed excellent pollution
control strategies that are worth considering for
restoring the health of our coasts from deterioration.
As described in section 3.5, the appointment of local
authorities in China, such as "River Chief" and "Bay
Chief", significantly decreased marine pollution.
Bangladesh should follow that route and designate a
particular organization to carry out pollution control
laws. It can be done by establishing new positions or
giving authority to already-existing organizations like
the Bangladesh Navy or Bangladesh Coast Guard. The
Bangladesh Armed Forces' naval branch is known as
the Bangladesh Navy. It was applauded for its concern
for safeguarding the maritime border, which included
maintaining sovereignty over the EEZ, continental
shelf, and territorial seas and safeguarding shipping
pollution in Bangladeshi territory. Although the navy's
current duties are primarily restricted to Coastal
patrolling still has a vast opportunity to safeguard the
marine environment from marine pollution. The
leading agency responsible for enforcing both domestic
and international maritime rules is the Bangladesh
Coast Guard. The organizations defend the economic
and environmental value of the oceans and the national
interest in them. The 1994 Coast Guard Act was
revised and changed to the "Bangladesh Coast Guard
Act 2016" to bring the institution's force up to date and
modernize it. The coast guard is currently growing
quickly and gradually. However, it only addresses
pirate activities rather than measures to protect the
marine environment off the coast of Bangladesh [7].
4.2. Infrastructure for Innovation and
Production
As was indicated in section 3.2, China has established
several Blue Economy-focused development and
innovation hubs.
For instance, the Chinese State Council formally
approved the development plan for the Shandong
Peninsula Blue Economic Zone in 2011. It is the first
regional development plan in Chinese history to
emphasize the marine economy. By 2015, Shandong
Peninsula Blue Economic Zone had established a
foundation for the modern marine industry,
significantly increased comprehensive economic
strength, significantly enhanced the ability of marine
science and technology to innovate independently,
A comparative study of blue economy status and initiatives between Bangladesh and China
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Proceedings of MARTEC 2022 hosted on SSRN.com
significantly enhanced the ecological quality of the
ocean and land, continuously enhanced the
environment of the ocean, and paved the way for other
regions to meet the general criteria for constructing. a
marine economy [6]. By incorporating a specific Blue
Economy Zone on top of the eight EPZs already in
place, Bangladesh can follow in the footsteps of such
models.
4.3. Separate Ministry formation
Section 3.3 details how China developed the idea of
ecological civilization under the Ministry of Natural
Resources. It has been essential in uniformly
preserving and restoring the ecological environment.
Bangladesh's attempt is failing because the Blue
Economy Cell, part of the Energy and Mineral
Resources Division, has yet to utilize the Bay of
Bengal's potential. Instead, Bangladesh should think
about establishing a new ministry to coordinate
initiatives to maximize the blue economy's potential,
including sustainable development of marine fisheries
and sea and coastal tourism.
4.4. Sector Diversification
China has extensively diversified blue economy
sectors, which is evident in section 3.5. Bangladesh
also implemented some initiatives in some sectors of
the marine industry, and now we are getting results
from them, just as marine fisheries, tourism and trade
and transportation. The advancement in these sectors is
prominent, but over-exploitation of a particular
resource can happen because of less diversification. So,
GoB should take the initiative to open up new marine
fields like marine chemicals, biomedical and
engineering and the construction industry.
5. CONCLUSION
Bangladesh has a maritime area that is nearly
equivalent to its land area. Bangladesh has much to
gain from the Blue Economy as a maritime nation.
Among the littoral countries in the Bay of Bengal,
Bangladesh has promoted the blue economy. However,
continuous evaluation of progress and status is
essential to take advantage of every potential our EEZ
has to offer. Comparing ourselves to other maritime
nations might help us find new growth directions. This
research demonstrated the disparities between
Bangladesh's and China's approaches to the blue
economy through a comparative examination. Many
lessons are uncovered. Comprehensive long-term
planning is required to encourage research and
innovation in this area. Additionally, the application of
pertinent laws needs to be emphasized more. By
realizing the full potential of the blue economy,
Bangladesh's economic growth can eventually become
more resilient.
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