**NIMA Workshop Underscores Opportunities and Challenges in Pakistan’s Blue Economy**
A maritime training workshop organized by the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) has spotlighted the vast potential of Pakistan’s Blue Economy, while drawing attention to critical sustainability challenges facing the sector. Experts and stakeholders convened to discuss the strategic significance of the country’s coastal and marine resources, emphasizing their role in driving future economic growth through responsible and sustainable practices.
Throughout the workshop, participants delved into a range of topics vital to modern maritime development, including the adoption of green shipping technologies, sustainable ship-breaking in accordance with the Hong Kong Convention, and the increasing necessity for environmentally responsible maritime logistics. Presenters underscored the importance of aligning Pakistan’s maritime industry with international sustainability standards, highlighting that such alignment is essential to secure both long-term economic benefits and environmental stewardship.
Distinguished speakers, including Commodore Masood Akram (Retd), Commodore Raheel Masood (Retd), Dr. Kanwar Javed Iqbal, Dr. Mushaiyada Mairaj, and Mr. Moazzam Khan, offered their insights on areas such as maritime law, fisheries conservation, and trade policy. Their sessions stressed the importance of robust regulatory frameworks and enhanced capacity building across the sector, advocating for measures that would enable Pakistan to fully capitalize on its maritime assets.
The workshop also acted as an interactive forum for identifying practical strategies to optimize the nation’s sea-borne trade and fisheries, while maintaining ecological balance. Experts highlighted the need for collaborative action among government agencies, academic institutions, and industry players, urging concerted efforts to achieve sustainable development within the maritime domain.
Concluding with an engaging Q&A session, the event encouraged vigorous discussion between attendees and speakers. This forum fostered the exchange of innovative ideas aimed at promoting a sustainable and prosperous future for Pakistan’s maritime sector.
