PM Sheikh Hasina. Photo: Collected
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (22 February) reiterated Bangladesh's stance not to engage in war with anyone, but will boost its defence forces aiming to protect the independence and sovereignty.
“We will not engage in war with anyone. But we have to attain capability to protect our independence and sovereignty,” she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing the golden jubilee of the enactment of the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hasina said that following the footstep of Bangabandhu the government has formulated Forces Goal 2030 and is implementing it.
“Side by side, as an independent country we will do whatever we need. We are working in that direction,” she said.
The prime minister said that Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 is working as an important guideline and in future it will continue to do the same.
She mentioned that the vast maritime areas that Bangladesh attained will contribute a lot to the country’s economy.
The prime minister urged the foreign businesses to invest in Bangladesh utilising its geographical position.
“Please come, invest in Bangladesh. Those who will invest here will be befitted because of our geographical position. There is a vast scope for trade and commerce here,” she said.
Hasina said that Bangladesh will explore marine resources from its vast maritime areas maintaining friendly relations with neighbouring countries to tap potentials of the blue economy for the country's socio-economic advancement.
"We have to explore and utilise the marine resources from the maritime areas we have gained. I believe the declaration on blue economy will be implemented. We have to use the vast marine resources for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh" she said.
She said that Bangladesh will be cautious in case of extracting marine resources and continue commerce and trade through seaways following country’s foreign policy ‘Friendship to all, malice to none’.
The prime minister said that currently there are conflicts in many areas across the globe.
“But there is no conflict in this region. This zone is very safe as there is no conflict with each other," she said.
She mentioned that the Bay of Bengal is a part of the Indian Ocean and it’s a very important marine way as international business and trade have been done using the way since ancient times.
"All our countries have been doing trade and commerce equally using the seaway. International commerce is also being done. No conflict has ever been seen. I want such peaceful situation to prevail always," she said.
She hoped that this zone will remain peaceful for trade and commerce in the days to come.
Hasina said Awami League government has established Bangladesh’s rights on the vast marine areas and its resources by winning legal battles in the international court against Myanmar in 2012 and India in 2014.
She said Bangabandhu had first taken the initiative to establish Bangladesh’s rights on marine resources by enacting the maritime law in 1974.
“The father of the nation with his wisdom had opened the path of prosperity to use the maritime resources for the country's overall socio-economic development with enacting the law,” she said.
She said the governments which came to power after 1975 assassination of Bangabandhu did not take any initiative to establish the rights on the vast sea areas until the Awami League government returned to office after a gap of 21 years in 1996.
She said the Awami League government could not implement the move launched in 1996 as BNP came to power in 2001 and it t had taken no initiative in this field during its tenure.
She said that after coming to power for the second time in 2009, the Awami League government had taken measures to this end and secured the country’s rights on vast sea areas and its resources.
"We have been attaching priority to ensure maximum use of the marine resources alongside ensuring their protection," she said.
To this end, she said her government has been working to build Bangladesh Navy stronger Bangladesh Navy and coast guard stronger to make them capable of secure the vast maritime areas and resources.
She continued that they have already established an institute to conduct research to ensure maximum use of the marine resources.
Besides, she said her government has established Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Marine University and marine institute to generate skilled manpower which is required to boost of the blue economy.
The prime minister reiterated her commitment that Bangladesh will be turned into a developed, prosperous and smart country, free from poverty and hunger, by 2041.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury chaired the programme organised at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC). Shipping Secretary Md. Mostafa Kamal and Navy chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan also spoke at the programme.
Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam presented the keynote paper. An audio-visual documentary was also screened at the programme. Later, the PM visited different stalls at the programme premises.
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