The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry and the Cultural Affairs Ministry have decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop cultural tourism by linking Bangladesh’s historical sites and archaeological heritage with tourism development.
The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Cultural Affairs Ministry’s conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat attended the meeting as the chief guest, while Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury chaired it. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam and Cultural Affairs Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman were also present.
Speaking at the meeting, Millat said tourism was an inclusive industry and the Cultural Affairs Ministry was closely connected with the sector.
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wants to take the country’s tourism sector to a new height. At present, tourism contributes only 2-3 per cent to Bangladesh’s GDP. We are working to increase this contribution to 7-8 per cent,” he said.
Millat said the two ministries had decided to sign an MoU as an initial step towards working together. Following the signing, they would begin preparing a joint Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), while a Joint Taskforce for Cultural Tourism would be formed to promote the sector.
During the meeting, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam proposed promoting Nazrul Year among international passengers arriving at the country’s airports.
In response, Millat said necessary promotional initiatives would be taken at airports to highlight Nazrul Year.
Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said Bangladesh’s heritage dates back thousands of years and the government wanted to preserve it and showcase it globally.
“Our historical sites will be developed keeping tourism themes in mind,” he said.
He added that Bangladesh has 554 archaeological establishments, which would be inspected in phases by the ministry’s taskforce before taking decisions on their development.
Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Kaniz Mowla, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Secretary Fahmida Akhter and senior officials from both ministries attended the meeting.
