Mohammad Masud Majumder:
Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar said that the rate and quality of fish exports have increased in recent years. But due to the lack of proper storage, transportation and processing after landing, post-harvest wastage has reached 20 to 25 percent. In this situation, the construction of a modern fish landing center in Cox’s Bazar is a timely and necessary step.
Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar made these remarks in her speech as the chief guest at the inauguration of the “Construction Work of Fish Landing Center Development Project” of the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday morning, April 17.
The Fisheries and Livestock Advisor said, “The auspicious start of the construction work of the ‘Improvement of Fish Landing Center of BFDC in Cox’s Bazar District’ project is not just the foundation stone of an infrastructure – it is a symbol of a large-scale economic and social development. Through this project, a new horizon will open up in the lives of the people of coastal Bangladesh, especially millions of families and fishermen associated with fishing.
The advisor said, “Bangladesh’s maritime region – especially the Bay of Bengal – is a reservoir of huge potential. Although we have 118,813 square kilometers of water as an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the capacity to exploit this vast resource is still limited. This region has more than 475 species of marine fish, more than 36 shrimp species, high-quality algae, medicinal animals and materials, and potential gas and mineral resources – which can bring revolutionary changes to the economy of Bangladesh.”
The Fisheries Advisor said, “Our ocean is our future. If we move forward with proper planning, science-based policies and sincere efforts, marine fisheries resources can be the next major foreign exchange earning sector of Bangladesh. Today’s inauguration has opened the door to that possibility.”
He said, through this center, modern jetties, pontoons, ice production and storage, water drainage, waste management and hygienic fish handling systems will be introduced. This will maintain the quality and freshness of fish, reduce wastage and ensure fair price in the market. As a result, not only will the income of fishermen increase, but new employment opportunities will be created at the local level; which will also have an impact on the national economy.
Thanking JICA and the Japanese government, the advisor said, “You have been supporting Bangladesh’s economic progress for a long time – especially in the health, education, infrastructure and agriculture sectors. Your contribution in the fisheries sector is also truly commendable. He hopes that JICA will continue such effective partnerships in projects related to environmentally friendly technology, coastal development and the blue economy in the future.”
Other speakers included Secretary (Routine Responsibilities) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Tofazzel Hossain, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Mr. Saida Shinchi, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office Mr. Ichiguchi Tomohide, Yashin Aga on behalf of the Japanese contracting organization JDC, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, Director General of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Anuradha Bhadra, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Cox’s Bazar Nizam Uddin Ahmed. BFDC Chairman Suraiya Akhtar Jahan delivered the welcome speech. Senior officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, officials of BFDC, officials of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, fish traders, and fishermen were present.
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