Shawdesh Desk:

President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday said the government is putting emphasis on ensuring time-bound training for the Navy and building skilled human resources to protect the maritime boundary.

He said this while delivering his speech at the awarding programme of National Standard Conferment to BNS Base Titumir of Bangladesh Navy at Khalishpur of Khulna.

The naval base was founded after the Liberation War.

Hamid said the Bangladesh Navy has today established itself as a three-dimensional naval force in the international arena through the addition of submarines to the fleet as part of the continuation of the overall development of the incumbent government.

“Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib naval base has already got a naval commission in Dhaka due to the continuation of the expansion of the navy. Besides, two maritime patrol aircraft have been purchased to monitor the sea and strengthen patrols. The construction of Sher-e-Bangla, the largest naval base, is underway in Patuakhali with the aviation facility for infrastructure development,” he said.

The President said the highest importance is being given to timely training and efficient human resources. “I hope that our future generation of the Navy will play an important role in preserving the independence and sovereignty of the country as well as creating the golden Bangla of Bangabandhu’s dream, imbued with great patriotism,” he said.

He said the Navy’s range of work is increasing day by day. “We have a 710km seashore where almost 30 million people rely on the sea for livelihood. Ninety percent foreign trade is done through the sea channel.”

President Hamid hoped that Bangladesh Navy will discharge its duties with greater competency in the future to protect the sovereignty of the sea and overall security alongside the best use of the blue economy in the national interest.