Be the flag-bearer of Bangladesh's blue economy: President

President Abdul Hamid has asked each member of the Bangladesh Navy to become the flag-bearer of the country's blue economy for the overall prosperity of the nation.

"Each member of the Navy must work more responsibly to implement various activities of the blue economy of the country and overall economic development, including prevention of human trafficking and smuggling at sea and coastal areas, the safety of fishermen and ensuring the safe passage of merchant ships," he said.

He said these after awarding Bangladesh Navy Ship (BNS) Shaheed Moazzem, the title of National Standard as part of the recognition of the ship’s outstanding services in the naval force, Thursday.

The National Standard Awarding ceremony was organised at the base located in the hilly terrain of Rangamati Hill District's Kaptai, while President Hamid joined the programme virtually from Bangabhaban.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal handed over the National Standard to BNS Shahid Moazzem on behalf of the President during the programme.

He said "We depend directly and indirectly on the vast ocean full of natural resources. For this reason, maintaining a development-friendly environment and ensuring security in the sea area is very important for national and economic development."

The President also asked the Navy personnel to continue to perform their responsibility with honesty and sincerity as the glorious and successful voyage of the naval vessels in global peacekeeping operations across the Mediterranean has greatly enhanced the image of the Bangladesh Navy and the country.

"You have a responsibility to keep the country's economy afloat and to create and protect the environment for the use of marine resources, including the safety of merchant ships at sea," he added.

Calling upon every member of the Navy to get ready to accept any sacrifice to protect the country's sovereignty as well as self-respect, President Hamid said the Navy should develop themselves as "skilled and adept in modern tactics and information technology".

He also asked every member of the Navy, including BNS Shahid Moazzam, to perform their duties more efficiently as well as maintain the highest level of professionalism in order to meet the challenges of the future as the Navy will continue to be successful in the coming days with the right leadership, the right direction and the dedication, concentration and consistent efforts of all members of the Navy.

The National Standard award was given to the ship for its contribution to the training of the naval forces and providing humanitarian support in the hilly area of Bangladesh.

"Apart from training, BNS Shahid Moazzam has set a shining example of patriotism and conscientiousness by conducting various natural calamities, firefighting and emergency rescue and relief operations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. In response to Covid-19, the naval personnel of BNS Shahid Moazzam have provided emergency medical and humanitarian assistance, including raising public awareness in the hilly areas," the President said.

"BNS Shahid Moazzam was awarded the National Standard in recognition of all these meritorious contributions and nation-building work which will be a glorious milestone in the history of the Bangladesh Navy," he added.

Officials of BNS said that the premier technical training establishment of the Bangladesh Navy, BNS Shahid Moazzam, has three schools named Engineering School, Electrical School and Seamanship School to conduct training of the officers and sailors.

The spectrum of officers training encompasses Executive Officers Basic Course (XOBC), Marine Engineering Specialisation Course (MESC) conducted by Engineering School and Long Electrical Course (LEC) conducted by Electrical School. The sailors professional training is also conducted in these schools.