Testing the waters: Mention of Blue Economy in budget must serve as an impetus for the sector | The Indian Express

Testing the waters: Mention of Blue Economy in budget must serve as an impetus for the sector | The Indian Express

Written by Vishwapati Trivedi |Updated: July 18, 2019 8:32:40 am

The writer is chairman, National Shipping Board

Testing the waters: Mention of Blue Economy in budget must serve as an impetus for the sector

Commitment to the development of the Blue Economy has been expressed by a mention in the budget speech. This has laid the foundation and will provide the initial traction to create the space for implementation of the strategy.

The idea is to expand port activities on the sea rather than on land. (File Photo/ Reuters)

Experts dissecting Budget 2019 have been remiss in not discussing the inclusion of an agenda to develop the Blue Economy. The development of the Blue Economy can play a critical role in nation building by enhancing the GDP, not just by exploitation of under-water resources but by developing it as a platform for infrastructure expansion into the ocean, especially when there is a shortage of space on land.