"Blue Economy in Pakistan has a potential to generate billions of dollars and inter-ministerial cooperation is indispensable to achieve this goal" Said Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs chairing the first meeting of Committee on Blue Economy recently formed by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Kaleem Shaukat and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Faisal Rasool Lodhi attended the meeting. Representatives from Ministry of Railways, Defense, Defense Production, Petroleum and Food Security were also present. Emphasizing the importance of Maritime sector, Ali Zaidi said that globally, the Blue Economy is measured to be of approximately twenty three trillion dollars. Pakistan's potential to have a major share in the pie can be guaged by our geographical position which is at the crossroads of major economic sea routes. Our 1100KM coastline is blessed with enormous natural resources ready to be harnessed. Unfortunately, this sector has been a victim of utter negligence of the previous governments. He quoted the example of the New York Port Authority, which not only contributed in building national assets, but also generates billions of dollars in revenue annually. It is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that the Minister for Maritime Affairs actively participates in ECC and CCOE, said the Minister. Ministry of Maritime Affairs recently gave the shipping policy, including tax exemptions for the shipping industry till 2030 for the growth of this sector. The policy also includes a preference for flag carriers in berthing and strategic freight carriage. Ali Zaidi also shared the plans for capacity building of Pakistani fleet. "Countries like Philippine and India are generating billions of dollars through their skilled seafarers" the minister said. After the 18th Amendment, Fisheries went under the control of the provincial government. The Sindh government has ruined the fisheries industry by not developing the infrastructure for value addition and by not regulating the fishing activities. MOMA is taking concrete steps to ensure adoption of international best practices in deep sea fishing. Prevention of waste disposal into sea both sewage and solid waste was also deliberated upon in detail. The committee was also made aware of the operations under MOMA for cleaning the coast. Plans were shared to establish waste to energy plants and the concept of Green Port Scheme was also discussed. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
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