DHAKA, July 21, 2020 (BSS) – President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the fisheries sector has been playing an important role in earning foreign currencies besides eradication of poverty and creation of employment opportunities.
In separate messages on the eve of the National Fisheries Week on July 21, they wished success all programmes taken to mark the week across the country.
Considering the huge potential and importance of the fisheries sector, the government has taken diversified programme for development of the sector, said the President in his message.
Lauding the theme of the week “Machh Utpadan Briddhi Kori, Shukhi Samriddha Desh Gori, he said that the theme is very much significant indeed in line with the spirit of birth centenary of Bangabandhu (Mujib Borsho) for upholding the economic prosperity of the country amid the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
To transform the country into a developed one by 2041, the President urged all concerned to work together for exploiting the huge potential of the fisheries sector.
Terming the fisheries sector as one of the most prioritized sector of the ruling Awami League, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said, “We are implementing planned development programme in this sector as the sector is contributing a lot for fulfilling the nutritional demand of the increasing population under the adverse atmosphere of the global pandemic”.
As per the report by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the premier said Bangladesh is now ranking in second position in the world in terms of growth of fisheries production in the last ten years.
Bangladesh is now 1st in Hilsha production, 3rd in inland fisheries and fifth in aquaculture production, she said, saying that all these are the reflection of time-befitting and appropriate programme undertaken by the government.
The government has been working tirelessly to use the benefits of Blue Economy in the overall progress and research and survey ships have been bought to carry out research and survey in this regard, she added.