The government is preparing a comprehensive master plan to transform Cox’s Bazar into an international and regional tourism hub, with a focus on expanding tourism, trade and services while ensuring environmental protection.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Thursday that the government has initiated work on an integrated development plan for the coastal district as it seeks to unlock its economic potential through planned urban and tourism development.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting on the Cox’s Bazar development plan at the Secretariat, the minister said long-standing restrictions on coastal development, including the 50-metre and 500-metre buffer rules, are being reviewed to create scope for planned investment.
He said tourism destinations require supporting infrastructure, including hotels, motels, resorts and entertainment facilities, but development must be balanced with environmental conservation.
“Where tourism will develop, hotels, motels, resorts and entertainment centres must be built,” he said, adding that the government wants to create development opportunities while protecting the environment.
The initiative comes as Cox’s Bazar’s connectivity improves through major infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Cox’s Bazar International Airport, the launch of railway services and improved road connectivity with Chattogram.
The minister said these infrastructure links would be integrated with the broader development strategy to turn Cox’s Bazar into a modern digital tourism city.
Infrastructure push sets stage for investment
The government sees Cox’s Bazar as a potential growth centre as Bangladesh works towards its long-term economic targets.
Amir Khosru said Cox’s Bazar would play an important role in the country’s ambition to become a $1 trillion economy by 2034, with tourism, trade and services expected to strengthen the district’s contribution to national growth.
The proposed master plan aims to bring together tourism facilities, infrastructure development and commercial activities under a coordinated framework rather than allowing fragmented coastal expansion.
Despite its global tourism potential, Cox’s Bazar has faced challenges including inadequate tourism infrastructure, environmental pressures and unplanned development. The government now aims to address these constraints through a structured development approach.
Improved transport connectivity is expected to support greater private investment in hotels, resorts, entertainment facilities and related services.
The minister said Cox’s Bazar’s transformation would focus on creating a modern tourism destination capable of attracting domestic and international visitors while generating new economic opportunities.
He added that the expansion of tourism, trade and services would help strengthen Cox’s Bazar’s role as one of Bangladesh’s key growth hubs.
