Tourism/ECOsystem/Sea/ Ship Building/Opportunity: Bangladesh’s Blue Economy – Analysis Report (English Version)

 Overall Potential of the Blue Economy in Bangladesh 

 

Bangladesh’s maritime zone spans approximately 118,000 square kilometers, an area equivalent to about 81% of the country’s land territory. This expansive marine domain in the Bay of Bengal offers diverse resources and economic opportunities, including abundant fisheries, significant hydrocarbon (oil and gas) reserves, minerals, and renewable energy potential. Following the resolution of maritime boundary disputes with Myanmar and India in 2012-2014, Bangladesh secured sovereign rights over a 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – greatly expanding its access to marine resources. Coastal areas are vital to the nation’s economy and livelihood: about 30 million Bangladeshis live in coastal regions and depend on marine resources for income and food security. Notably, fish from the Bay contributes around 52% of the animal protein intake in Bangladesh, underlining the importance of ocean fisheries for nutrition. 

 

The country’s blue economy – i.e., ocean-based economic activities – already makes a significant contribution to GDP and employment. Key sectors include marine fisheries and aquaculture, maritime trade (shipping and ports), coastal tourism, energy, and ship-building. In 2014-15, the ocean economy’s gross value added was estimated at about $6.2 billion (3.3% of GDP), with tourism and recreation accounting for ~25%, marine fisheries and aquaculture ~22%, and marine transport (shipping/ports) another ~22% . Bangladesh is one of the world’s leading producers of fish and shrimp, with the fisheries sector alone contributing roughly 3.5% of national GDP. Similarly, over 90% of Bangladesh’s international trade (imports/exports) is carried by sea through its port, underscoring the maritime sector’s central role in the economy. 

 

There is vast untapped potential to expand these blue economy sectors. The Bay of Bengal is believed to hold significant untapped mineral and hydrocarbon wealth that could bolster Bangladesh’s energy security. New offshore gas fields discovered in neighboring waters indicate similar prospects in Bangladesh’s EEZ, though exploration remains in early stages. There is also scope to develop offshore renewable energy – such as wind, wave, and tidal power – along Bangladesh’s lengthy coastline. Exploiting these could help meet rising energy demand and diversify the energy mix toward clean sources. Likewise, coastal and marine tourism (e.g. around Cox’s Bazar – the world’s longest natural sea beach – and the Sundarbans mangrove forest) can be further developed to attract both domestic and international tourists. Overall, experts see the blue economy as a transformative driver for sustainable growth in Bangladesh. According to the Asian Development Bank, Bangladesh’s blue economy output could potentially double in the next 10–15 years if key investments are made in infrastructure, logistics, and sustainable resource use. Such growth would create jobs, improve food and energy security, and contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s development goals.