The Blue Economy in the Arabian Gulf and Its Impact on the Economic Environment in Basra: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth

Blue Economy and its transformational impact for the economy of Basra in Arabian Gulf. As a coastal province on the Gulf and the coordinator with their geographic location, Basra has potential to be a center of gravity for shipping, fisheries, offshore energy and nascent marine industry. The study emphasizes on how the sustainable exploitation of marine resources can be utilised to push economic diversification, employment and environmental resilience in the region. Drawing from the regional and global best practice experience, the analysis develops a framework through which Blue Economy principles should be considered in establishing the development agenda for Basra. Challenges such as degradation of the environment, inadequate infrastructure and policy vacuum are discussed, with proposed solutions designed to encourage collaboration among policy makers and relevant private and regional players. The paper finishes by noting a vision for sustainable growth based on marine innovation, ecosystem safe‐guards and inclusive economic development, leveraging Basra to become a premier node in the Gulf's Blue Economy century.