Bangladesh signs MoU to boost cultural tourism
The decision was taken at
an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in the
capital on August 24 with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman
Millat attending as chief guest. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury
chaired the meeting.
Under the proposed
agreement, the two ministries will work jointly on cultural tourism development
and subsequently prepare a common standard operating procedure (SOP). A Joint
Taskforce for Cultural Tourism will also be formed to coordinate initiatives
between the ministries.
Millat said tourism was
an inclusive industry closely linked with culture and heritage. He said the
government aims to increase tourism’s contribution to Bangladesh’s GDP from the
current estimated 2–3 percent to 7–8 percent.
The meeting also
discussed promoting Bangladesh’s cultural heritage to international visitors.
Cultural Affairs State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam proposed promoting the
ongoing Nazrul Year at the country’s airports for arriving foreign passengers.
Millat said necessary promotional initiatives would be taken.
Cultural Affairs Minister
Nitai Roy Chowdhury said Bangladesh’s heritage stretches back thousands of
years and the government wants to preserve it while presenting it to
international audiences. He said historical sites would be developed with
tourism in mind.
According to the
minister, Bangladesh has 554 archaeological institutions, which will be
inspected gradually by the taskforce to identify opportunities for improvement
and tourism development.
Senior officials from
both ministries, including their secretaries Kaniz Mowla and Fahmida Akhter,
also attended the meeting.
