The Bay of Bengal is growing in importance in terms of global geopolitics and geo-economics among the super powers in the East as well as in the West. Indian Ocean covers over 25 percent of the earth\u2019s surface and one third of the global population live around this region which stores 40% of the oil and gas reserves on this planet. The Middle-East countries transport their crude oil to the Asian countries through this sea-route. An essential part of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal is the largest bay in the world. South China Sea is connected to it through the Malacca Straits. This makes the Bay strategically significant for countries like China and Japan in the Far-East. Bangladesh stands along the shoreline of this Bay of Bengal. Significance of these advantages has further been solidified through the mitigation of its conflict in maritime territory with Myanmar and India through which Bangladesh achieved sovereignty over a vast area of water body, besides its astounding 6% growth in economy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Big-B initiative by Japan primarily will revolve around the economic possibilities of the Bay of Bengal; evidently, Bangladesh has a crucial role to play in this master plan. As a component of this Big-B initiative, the largest coal based power plant in country as well as a coal jetty is being constructed at the Matarbari area of Maheshkhali in Cox\u2019s Bazar.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Japan, Big-B and Bangladesh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Japan is the biggest partner in development for Bangladesh. Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA is the government body that coordinates this official development assistance (ODA). Formed in 1974, JICA by now is the biggest bilateral development body in the world running projects in 152 countries. It plays significant roles in the progress of the undeveloped and the developing countries. Its contribution in the development of Bangladesh extends for more than four decades. The relation that sprouted with Bangabandhu\u2019s Japan visit in 1973 has bloomed into solidity through the Big-B initiative. Currently, development projects of JICA in Bangladesh prioritizing the sector of economic enhancement and social crisis mitigation are underway by 9 partnership programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big-B, the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt, is by far the largest contribution of Japan in our economic growth. In 2014, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Japan and Japan\u2019s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also visited Bangladesh as the first Japanese premier over the last 15 years which resulted in the solidifying of partnership between these two countries. This has elevated the bilateral relation up to a new level. Both premiers expressed their hope of mutual benefits and mentions that, progress could be achieved through the utilization of state-of-the-art technology from Japan and its socio-development experience. Big-B Initiative has been undertaken focusing on developing industries along the Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox\u2019s Bazar belt area. This initiative will stand upon three main pillars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first one is the industry and business centered on the construction of the much expected deep sea port that would serve as the gateway of trade to the other South Asian countries as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second one is energy. This will be achieved through the construction of the biggest coal power plant at Matarbari in Bangladesh. Electricity produced here shall not only suffice the demand of the Big-B region but also instill speed in growth and industries in a countrywide context. The project will complete by 2022-23 FY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transportation is the third pillar in it. To fortify the first two targets the transportation along the Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox\u2019s Bazar has to be strengthened further extending into the neighboring countries as required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deep Sea Port in Bangladesh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Export-import trade through the ports in Bangladesh amount to 60 billion US dollar annually. The current growth of ship arrival in country is 11 percent. The narrow width of the Karnaphuli channel and shortage of depth enforce 48 percent of the bulk cargo to be unloaded at the outer anchorage in the sea. Mother vessels and large container ships cannot berth at the harbor. Once the large ships have anchored at the deep sea anchorage, cargoes are unloaded on smaller ships or on trawlers and transported to and from Chittagong. This adds to the cost besides causing wastage of valuable time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n