The grant is also expected to help contribute to mitigation of damages caused by ship accidents and natural disasters in coastal and inland waters, which are operated by Bangladesh Coast Guard.

A signing ceremony of the ‘Project for Improvement of Rescue Capacities in the Coastal and Inland Waters’ was held at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Finance Ministry on August 26, said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka. 

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Hiroyasu Izumi and ERD Secretary Kazi Shofiqul Azam signed the Exchange of Notes representing their respective governments.

The marine resources in coastal areas occupy an important position for the national economy of Bangladesh, said the Embassy. 

Marine resources and Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) are becoming increasingly important for the national economy in situations where land resources are rapidly depleting. 

Besides, it said, inland waters transportation has been developed using large and small rivers flowing through Bangladesh, and fisheries on maritime areas, and inland water areas are also active. 

Large-scale natural disasters and ship accidents have occurred in such domestic inland water areas and coastal area in Bangladesh, and many people have been injured.

It is expected that the boats will contribute to the effective disaster response activities and reduce the sufferings of the marginalised people living in disaster-prone areas of the country and profoundly contribute to socioeconomic advancement of Bangladesh, the Embassy added.