PM pushes for rapid rise in deep-sea fishing

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for ‘rapid and effective’ steps to increase deep-sea fishing to meet Bangladesh’s growing demand.

She emphasised grooming skilled manpower and creating infrastructure in the fisheries sector at the third meeting of the National Committee on Fisheries and Shrimp at her office on Wednesday.

Her Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri told reporters that Hasina had stressed the utilisation the vast maritime area Bangladesh had secured from India and Myanmar.

The prime minister had said fish harvested from sea should be sold in local markets and exported, he added.

She underscored the need to increase fish production to meet Bangladesh’s demand.

Earlier, the new French Ambassador in Dhaka, Sophie Aubert, paid a courtesy call on her.

At the meeting, Hasina sought increased French investment in Bangladesh during the meeting.

Aubert told the prime minister that several French companies were interested to work here.

She lauded the Hasina government’s achievement in the socio-economic sector, particularly in dealing with climate change impacts.

The prime minister recalled France’s support during the Liberation War and its assistance in the post-independence era.

Hasina hoped the bilateral ties would be further strengthened.