ISLAMABAD, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani government has decided to give a big push to the country's national development by enhancing efforts to promote the blue economy, according to a notification acquired on Friday.

According to the notification issued by the government, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has declared the year of 2020 as the year of the blue economy with an aim to focus on the maritime activities significantly to fulfill the national development agenda.

The decision was made during a meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by the prime minister following a comprehensive report on the ocean potential of the country.

"The maritime sector of Pakistan has enormous potential and its development is intrinsically linked to the development of Pakistan," said the notification.

The prime minister has already announced to utilize all resources to bring the country's economy on the fast track by encouraging agriculture development and promoting industrialization.

Director of the Institute of Policy Studies Khalid Rahman hailed the government's decision, saying "an effective national compliance mechanism and exploration of potential maritime sectors through regional and international partners can lead Pakistan to a process of significant growth."

The director of the Islamabad based think-tank described the fast development of southwest Gwadar port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a big addition to the country's approximately 1,050-km long coastline strength, which can help Pakistan capitalize the maritime cooperation in the region.

The expert urged the government to develop a reformed national maritime policy with a focus to stop the growing coastal and marine pollution, along with climate change, which are the major challenges to Pakistan's blue economy. Enditem

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