Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has urged T\u00fcrkiye to consider launching direct flights from Chattogram and Sylhet to improve international connectivity and meet growing travel demand among expatriate Bangladeshis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister made the proposal during a meeting with a Turkish delegation led by T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis \u015een at his office in the ministry on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millat specifically called for direct air connections with T\u00fcrkiye from Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, according to a ministry press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said a large number of expatriate Bangladeshis, particularly those originating from Chattogram and Sylhet, have significant international travel requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introducing flights from these two airports would make international travel more convenient and strengthen people-to-people connectivity between Bangladesh and T\u00fcrkiye, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Turkish delegation also included Bilal Belyurt, Commercial Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy, and Islam Gure, Country Director of Turkish Airlines in Bangladesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expansion of bilateral air connectivity featured prominently during the meeting, with the minister also welcoming T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s interest in increasing Turkish Airlines’ flight frequencies on the Dhaka-Istanbul route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkish Airlines currently operates seven weekly flights between Dhaka and Istanbul, while the Turkish side has expressed interest in introducing three additional weekly services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millat said the opening of the Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport would create greater opportunities for expanding international flight operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphasised that stronger aviation links would facilitate trade, investment, tourism and exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcoming the delegation, the minister described Bangladesh-T\u00fcrkiye relations as historic and friendly, saying there is considerable scope for expanding cooperation in aviation, tourism, culture and people-to-people exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millat said the government has undertaken initiatives to develop 1,498 tourist attractions across Bangladesh under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He invited Turkish investors to explore the opportunities in developing tourism infrastructure, improving destination management and enhancing hospitality services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister said T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s experience in tourism development and hospitality could make an important contribution to Bangladesh\u2019s efforts to build an internationally competitive tourism industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visa facilitation for Bangladeshi nationals was another major issue discussed during the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millat stressed the importance of simplifying visa procedures to promote business travel, tourism and closer people-to-people relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said greater mobility between the two countries would help deepen bilateral relations and open up new avenues of economic cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister called for effective initiatives by both countries to ease visa procedure and facilitate greater exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both sides expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in aviation, tourism, investment and people-to-people connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Millat reaffirmed Bangladesh\u2019s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding friendship with T\u00fcrkiye, expressing optimism that expanded aviation and tourism cooperation would bring tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"