On July 7, 2014, Bangladesh achieved a significant victory in maritime rights at The Hague. This victory, followed by a similar one against Myanmar by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg two years earlier, granted Bangladesh sovereign rights over an expansive maritime area of approximately 118,813 square kilometers in the Bay of Bengal. Despite being hailed as the beginning of a potential “blue economy revolution,” the full potential of this victory remains largely untapped twelve years later.
In 2017, the establishment of the Blue Economy Cell aimed to explore various sectors within the new maritime territory, including fisheries, deep-sea hydrocarbons, shipbuilding, marine biotechnology, and tourism. However, recent data shows a decline in marine fish catches, with the lowest levels recorded in fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25. Additionally, despite multiple bidding rounds for deep-sea hydrocarbons, no commercial discoveries led by domestic firms have been made. The delayed marine spatial plan, essential for development, still remains in draft form. Inter-ministerial coordination continues to face challenges, impacting progress in the sector.
The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year allocates Tk 200 crore for the blue economy, including funds for a new Blue Economy Research Fund and development projects. While these allocations signify a positive step towards prioritizing the blue economy, there is a need for further investment in research capacity and institutional development to effectively utilize the maritime resources gained by Bangladesh.
Despite the successful legal battles in international courts, Bangladesh lacks a robust domestic framework to govern its maritime territory effectively. The absence of a national maritime commission and specialized experts in fields such as marine geophysics and fisheries economics poses challenges in strategic decision-making and governance of the maritime domain.
Amid evolving regional dynamics, including India’s MAHASAGAR initiative and China’s Maritime Silk Road, Bangladesh must strengthen its institutional capacity to navigate complex maritime engagements. The country’s current institutional setup needs enhancement to address geopolitical challenges and maximize economic opportunities in the maritime sector.
A strategic approach involving the engagement of diaspora specialists and the establishment of an Ocean Affairs Advisory Council could significantly enhance Bangladesh’s maritime governance capabilities. By leveraging expertise from within and outside the country, Bangladesh can better position itself to make informed decisions and effectively manage its maritime resources for sustainable development.
In conclusion, the focus should shift towards not just acquiring maritime territory but also building the necessary human and institutional capacity to govern it effectively. The decisions made in the present will determine whether Bangladesh’s maritime resources contribute to its own economic growth or become a bargaining chip in regional dynamics.
Md Syful Islam is a PhD research fellow in the Department of Maritime, Transport Law, and Politics at Ankara University in Türkiye. He can be reached at [email protected].
Views expressed in this article are the author’s own.
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