Government Taking Plans to Harness Blue Economy Potential: Home Minister

Bangladesh can generate substantial revenue by properly utilizing its marine resources and seaports, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said, stressing that the government is moving ahead with various plans to harness the country's potential in the blue economy.
He made the remarks on Friday while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of Residential Flat Development Project-1 of the Cox's Bazar Development Authority (COXDA).

The Home Minister said the government is working to further develop Cox's Bazar's tourism industry and bring it up to international standards. Properly utilizing the district's vast tourism potential could make a significant contribution to Bangladesh's economy, he said.

Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that tourism development must go hand in hand with the protection of nature and the environment. Merely constructing high-rise buildings cannot constitute meaningful tourism development, he said, calling for planned and environmentally sustainable activities along the entire stretch of Cox's Bazar's coastline.

He also stressed the need to promote the natural beauty of Cox's Bazar internationally and attract more tourists from around the world. Infrastructure development, he said, must be pursued alongside strong environmental protection measures.

The minister further said the government has planned to establish a Marine University in Cox's Bazar to expand opportunities for higher education and marine research. Once implemented, the initiative is expected to create new opportunities in marine education, research, and the development of skilled human resources.

Later, the Home Minister laid the foundation stone for a new building of the 500-bed Cox's Bazar Medical College Hospital.

Among those present at the event were Shahjahan Chowdhury, Member of Parliament for Ukhiya-Teknaf; Alamgir Mohammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid, MP for Maheshkhali-Kutubdia; Shamima Ara Swapna, reserved women’s seat MP; Abdul Mannan, Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar; ANM Sajedur Rahman, Superintendent of Police; and Engineer Md. Jasim Uddin, Chairman of the Cox's Bazar Development Authority, along with senior officials from the district administration, COXDA, and various government agencies.