WINDHOEK, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The blue economy can make a difference in Africa's economic transformation and development if well and sustainably tapped, an official said Tuesday in Windhoek.
"The blue economy can be a site of economic production, which through its value chain process, can link small, medium and big production firms," said the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Director for Southern Africa, Said Adejumobi.
Adejumobi made the remarks at a high-level policy dialogue on the "The Blue Economy, Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability" on Tuesday.
"If the blue economy is to serve as a viable mechanism for powering our industrialization process, the threats to the realization of such goal need to be urgently addressed," he added.
According to Adejumobi the blue economy is Africa's "hidden treasure," which if well and sustainably tapped, can make a difference.
Namibia's United Nations Development Programme resident representative, Alka Bhatia, at the event said that the desired outcome of a blue economy is to achieve improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological shortages.
According to Bhatia, Namibia's fishing industry is the third largest income earner and contributes about 15 percent of total exports.
"About 16,800 people were directly employed in the fisheries sector as per estimates in 2017," she added.
Bhatia is of the view that the blue economy concept could move nations away from the business as usual development model where the oceans are for free resource extraction and waste dumping.
The two-day policy dialogue in Windhoek was aimed for stakeholders to share ideas and opportunities, on the potential threats and dangers to the blue economy sector from climate change and environmental challenges.
