Bangladesh has sought Japan’s cooperation in transforming the country into a regional aviation hub and expanding development in the civil aviation and tourism sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat held a courtesy meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the meeting, they discussed the government’s plans for developing the country’s aviation and tourism sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister said Japan is a trusted development partner of Bangladesh and expressed the government’s interest in having Japan’s support in the country’s journey to become an aviation hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the recently launched direct Dhaka-Narita flight by Biman Bangladesh Airlines reflects Bangladesh’s growing commitment to strengthening connectivity and cooperation between the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister also said the government is committed to inaugurating the newly built Terminal-3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport within the scheduled timeframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said starting the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) activities as soon as possible is essential for the timely opening of the terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The techno-financial evaluation of proposals submitted by the Japanese Sub-working Group (SWG) has already been completed, while negotiations are expected to begin next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that work is ongoing at the ministry level regarding the Letter of Assurance required for the successful operation of Terminal-3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister also highlighted the potential of heritage tourism in Bangladesh, saying the country has more than 500 heritage tourism spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs are jointly working to develop these sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also expressed Bangladesh’s interest in working with Japan under a public-private partnership model to develop Buddhist tourism and attract Japanese investment in the tourism sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to working closely with Bangladesh in implementing the government’s election manifesto.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"