Our country has made tremendous progress in the last few years, which is termed by many countries as a role model. However, it is also true that the economic disparity between different areas still remains in the country; thus area-specific potentials of the country are yet to be harnessed fully. Given that, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s instruction for appropriate development planning taking into consideration the features of different regions is very much significant, since it would pave the way for smooth economic progress in every corner along with creating job opportunities for local people.

In her address at the Delta Governance Council's meeting a couple of days ago, the premier particularly asked the authorities concerned to lay an extra emphasis on exploring the blue economy utilising the country's vast maritime resources to boost the national economy. Undoubtedly, the country has little exploited the prospect of the blue economy and the fate of the coastal people remains unchanged to a great extent. However, once a proper plan will be designed to utilise all the potentials of the blue economy – not only the mineral resources but also the marine aqua farming – and the coastal people will be employed in related sectors, the region, as well as the country, will surely sustain a huge economic boost.

So, the authorities concerned need to design an appropriate plan for region-based development as per the desire of the prime minister in the quickest possible time – not only for the coastal area but also for the rest of the country. The sooner they make and implement the plan, the better for the country.