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Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury presides over an inter-ministerial consultation on cultural tourism development in Dhaka.
A coordinated institutional initiative between the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism can elevate tourism’s contribution to national gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 7–8 percent, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury stated on Monday.
Presiding over an inter-ministerial meeting on developing tourism centered around archaeological and historical sites under the ministry's purview, held at the Cultural Affairs Ministry's conference room, the minister welcomed the newly appointed Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, M Rashiduzzaman Millat.
Highlighting the transformative vision under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the minister emphasized that establishing global branding for Bangladesh’s millennial heritage and cultural richness requires unified action. Citing international examples, he noted how countries such as the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Malaysia leveraged tourism to revitalize and expand their national economies:
"Our archaeological artifacts, historical monuments, and cultural heritage structures must be actively publicized and developed to make them accessible and friendly for domestic and international travelers."
Addressing the collaborative framework, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat proposed forming a joint technical committee between both ministries to identify and select significant historical and archaeological sites to attract global visitors, alongside signing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam noted that integrated planning could increase tourism’s contribution to national GDP growth to 7–8 percent from its existing baseline of 2–3 percent, urging stakeholders across both sectors to work closely together.
The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Kaniz Mowla, and Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Fahmida Akhter. Earlier, a keynote presentation titled "Unlocking Bangladesh's Creative Economy Through Cultural Tourism" was presented by officials of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.
