DHAKA, March 6, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her
government has been taking required measures to leverage the potentials of
the blue economy to further expedite the country's development.
 
"We have already announced the blue economy policy giving importance on marine resources. We can make
our economy more vibrant, stronger and solid using the marine resources and
we're taking various measures to this end," she said.

The premier was addressing the Mujib Borsha Passing Out of 41st batch of the
Marine Fisheries Academy at its campus in Chattogram. She joined the ceremony
virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban here.

She added that they are out to achieve the SDG-14 (Conserve and sustainably
use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development).

Sheikh Hasina said, "I hope your role will be the most important to achieve
the target."

The prime minister said her government has successfully achieved the MDGs
(millennium development goals) and is set to achieve the SDGs (sustainable
development goals).

The country's economy is advancing towards prosperity with gaining cherished
strength despite the economy has suffered a setback due to the Coronavirus,
she said.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister S M Rezaul Karim, MP and Secretary of the
ministry Dr. Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury, spoke on the occasion.

On behalf of the prime minister, the fisheries and livestock minister

distributed awards among Cadet Benazir Ahmed, Cadet Rupaida Rahman, Cadet
Abdur Rahman Al Wadud, Cadet Mohammad Ariful Islam and Cadet Asif Alam Darpan
for their outstanding performances in various fields.

A video documentary on the Marine Fisheries Academy was also screened at the
programme.

This year, a total of 84 female and male cadets, including 33 cadets in the
nautical department, 31 cadets in the marine engineering department and 20
cadets in the marine fisheries department, took part in the passing out
parade at the 41st batch of the academy.

The prime minister remotely witnessed the passing out parade and took salute.

Referring to attaining a vast sea area from India and Myanmar, Sheikh Hasina
said the Awami League government has laid special emphasis on "Blue Economy".

She said extraction of resources from the sea has opened a new door in the
socio-economic development of country's growing population.

"I hope that with your active participation, the extraction of marine
resources will be further enhanced, which will enrich our economy and at the
same time the goal of the government's blue economy will be realised," she
said.

The prime minister said that the Bay of Bengal, a reservoir of natural
resources, is constantly supplying a huge amount of fishes to meet the demand
for protein of the people.

"So, you have to play a leading role in extraction, preservation and
marketing of fisheries from the Bay of Bengal alongside conservation of its
biodiversity and prevention of environmental pollution," she added.

The prime minister said that the cadets, after being trained from the
academy, are going to become fearless sailors in the deep sea.

"I firmly believe that this knowledge, gained through hard work,
determination and intensive training, will be helpful in your future work,"
she said.

She hoped that in order to survive in this ever-changing and competitive
modern world, you have already prepared yourself with the knowledge you have
acquired.

"I think that by learning these qualities you will brighten the image of the
country fulfilling respective responsibilities in the new workplace," she
added.

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had
given priority on agricultural and industrial revolution and the maritime
sector to shape economy of war-torn Bangladesh after independence.

In this regard, she said that the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act,
1974 was enacted by Bangabandhu for Bangladesh at a time when there was no
specific standard for framing the maritime law in the world.

She mentioned that the United Nations later adopted the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 as an international
maritime law.

She continued that the Marine Fisheries Academy, the first maritime
educational institution in independent Bangladesh, was established in 1973.

The premier also said the academy was established to generate trained
manpower in the fisheries sector for efficient extraction of fish resources
from the country's vast seas to meet the protein demand of the largest
population and earn foreign currency.

Sheikh Hasina regretted that after the assassination of the Father of the
Nation in 1975, the progress of the Marine Fisheries Academy was hampered and
at that time no development was made.

The prime minister mentioned that since the Awami League government assumed
power, it is transforming this institution into an international standard
maritime educational institution.

During this time, she said, the expansion of academic buildings, enhancement
of facilities in various labs and library, collection of modern training
equipment and construction of male and female cadet hostels have been done.

At the same time, facilities have also been created for the physical and
mental development of the cadets alongside setting up of a modern standard
swimming pool, auditorium and gymnasium, she added.

According to the election manifesto of Awami League government, she said
female cadets are being admitted to this academy for the development of
women's education and their empowerment.

She mentioned that the recruitment of female cadets started through the 32nd
batch in 2010.

Sheikh Hasina said from 2018, Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) is being
issued by the Department of Shipping for the cadets of this institution who
completed pre-C training of the Department of Nautical and Marine Engineering
to provide scope for getting job in the maritime sector abroad.

"As a result, the cadets of this academy have got the opportunity to get
employment in the sea-going merchant ships and their fields of work have
expanded all over the world."

Mentioning that Marine Fisheries Academy was affiliated to Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman Maritime University since 2018, she said four-year BSc (Hons)
in Nautical Studies, BSc (Hons) in Engineering and BSc (Hons) in Marine
Fisheries degrees are being offered from it.

"For this, after completing their education from this academy, the path of
higher education of the cadets has become easier," she added.

The prime minister said initiatives have been taken to install modern
simulators (artificial sea training system) for the academy and "I think it
will be done quickly".

When it is attached to the academy, it will soon be upgraded to an
international standard maritime educational institution, she added.

She said so far, 1,914 cadets, including 58 female cadets who have
successfully passed out from the academy, have been working hard in various
maritime sectors at home and abroad to strengthen the foundation of the
country's economy.