Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD) organized a seminar on  “Coastal Communities in Fostering the Blue Economy in the South-Western Region of Bangladesh” at Khulna Naval Base, Bangladesh on 24th December 2019 to discuss the livelihood of the coastal community, economic dimensions of the coastal region, eco-system of Sundarban & prospects of Sundarban centric tourism and initiatives of the national/international & development partners to foster the blue economy initiatives of Bangladesh.

The honorable Mayor of Khulna City Corporation Mr. Talukder Abdul Khaleque was present at the mentioned seminar as Chief Guest. In his speech the Chief Guest appreciated the noble initiatives of BIMRAD to work for the development of coastal community of south-western region of Bangladesh through research, project works, capacity and awareness building activities. During the day-long event, three renowned professors of Khulna University named Dr. Selina Ahmed (Sociology Discipline), Dr. Md. Wasiul Islam & Dr. Nazmus Sadath (Forestry & Wood Technology Discipline) and Executive Director of a reputed NGO named ‘An Organization for Socio Economic Development (AOSED)’ participated as keynote speakers. The stakeholders of different sectors of blue economy, officers of Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard, academicians & maritime scholars, representatives of govt. and private organizations, business community, coastal and forest community, entrepreneurs, coastal journalists as well as students participated in the seminar to add color to the event. The participants gathered information concerning coastal livelihood, constraints and prospects of economic activities in that region from the keynote speeches and discussion session among the participants. Two different sessions were conducted during the seminar to exchange views and learn about the challenges of the coastal community from the coastal journalists and the concerned stakeholders in the south-western region of Bangladesh.

At the afternoon session of the seminar the former Chief of the Naval Staff, Bangladesh Navy and Chairman, BIMRAD, Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, NBP, OSP, BCGM, ndc, psc (retd) paid a vote of thanks to the Chief Guest, keynote speakers, naval officers and distinguished guests for their participation in that auspicious occasion. In his speech Chairman, BIMRAD expressed that BIMRAD would become a ‘Centre of Excellence’ one day for the maritime community of the world. BIMRAD would fulfill the aspirations of the nation’s coastal community by creating awareness among them through research, development, training, education, exchanging views and formulating policies for the best use of the marine resources of the country- the Admiral said. He also pointed out about his expectations of cooperation from all concerned organizations, researchers, intellectuals, policy makers and coastal communities of Bangladesh to foster the blue economy initiatives of Bangladesh and for the development of the coastal communities.  The entire programme including discussion sessions with coastal journalists and communities were moderated by Commodore Kazi Emdadul Haq (retd), Director General, BIMRAD.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Khulna University and BIMRAD at the end of the seminar to establish cooperation, conduct research and capacity building activities for the development of blue economy initiatives and delta plan 2100 of Bangladesh.

Apart from the Chief Guest the distinguished guests well appreciated the initiatives of BIMRAD for creating common platform for the maritime stakeholders in Bangladesh and beyond, towards the cooperation for sustainable development of blue economy and development of the coastal communities of the country.  BIMRAD was established as a charitable independent maritime think tank and started its journey on 03 July 2018 to work as a common platform for thinkers, academicians, researchers and stakeholders for creating maritime awareness amongst the general people, policy makers & civil society and support the blue economy initiatives and delta plan 2100 of the government.