Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

I humbly pay my sincere and earnest tribute to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who as a visionary leader, realized the significance of ocean for long term economic development of Bangladesh. It was the Father of the Nation who took the lead to enact the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act 1974, even prior to the formal adoption of UNCLOS-III in 1982. The maritime vision of Bangabandhu has been carried forward by his daughter, Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina. Under her dynamic leadership, Bangladesh has obtained maritime territory of 1,18,813 square kilometers, 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and an additional area of Continental Shelf by resolving the maritime boundary disputes with Myanmar (2012) and India (2014). The peaceful delimitations have generated new opportunities in Bangladesh for the exploration and exploitation of the marine resources and contribute to the sustainable development of the country in a competitive environment of the 21st century.

We know the Ocean is a source of immeasurable living and non-living resources; on the other hand, around 90% of global trade in volume is seaborne. And the global ocean economy is projected to cross the mark of $3 trillion by 2030. Bangladesh Navy, with its inherent advantages, has the onus to steer Bangladesh as a maritime nation. There is much potential to escalate the contribution of maritime sectors to our national economy. Bangladesh has the vision to become a developed country by 2041. To accomplish the vision, sustainable development of marine resources need to be the utmost priority in developing a blue economy framework for Bangladesh. However, the marine resources have to be exploited preserving the marine environment and bio-diversity as well.

With this backdrop, ‘Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development’ (BIMRAD) was inaugurated on 03 July 2018, under the direct patronization of Bangladesh Navy to contribute towards the national economy, at the same time, to create a platform for the maritime thinkers - an inventiveness and fortitude that Navy’s long-desired goal of setting a premier maritime research institute. To accomplish the maritime vision of the nation, Bangladesh Navy plays a vital role in patronizing and functioning of a maritime research platform named BIMRAD. BIMRAD is the country’s maiden research institute to create a common platform for the entire gamut of maritime think-tank, scholars, institutions, government organizations and other stakeholders to coordinate and conduct quality research pertaining to the maritime interests of Bangladesh and also to formulate policy recommendations. Since its inception, the institute is engaged to promote and advance studies, research and activities in the arena of maritime affairs & security in addition to Blue Economy. The institute is also involved in creating maritime awareness amongst the mass people and taking along the youth, maritime scholars, institutions and stakeholders in a common platform to uphold the maritime interests and blue economy initiatives of Bangladesh.

I sincerely believe, BIMRAD would foster the aspiration of the nation’s maritime community through research, development works, capacity building programmes, awareness activities and formulation of pertinent policies for the sustainable development of marine resources and the improved livelihood of the coastal community in addition to the marine environmental sustainability. BIMRAD envisions to become the ‘Centre of Excellence’ for the maritime community of the world, and we are optimistic that in the near future, this institute will address the aspirations of world maritime community through research and possible development works.

I wish the very best for all noble endeavours and a glorious prospect of BIMRAD.