The Ministry of Tourism is one of the lowest budgetary sectors contributing 2% to the total GDP of the country. Certainly, we want to raise it to 4% despite all odds, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon.
The seasoned politician also focused on a major overhaul of Bangladesh Biman, and preferred reinstating previous Biman management in which the ministry will have 100% control.
The Workers Party president and former DUCSU vice-president, Menon, shares his thoughts exclusively with the Dhaka Tribune.
Dhaka Tribune (DT): What is your plan for the tourism year 2016?
Menon: Already two months have passed, but we are yet to get any budgetary allocation. I raised the issue at the Parliament. We will have to complete our tasks based on the private sectors’ initiatives as the government is yet to allocate the fund as planned.
Could you please focus on what you would like to achieve in the tourism year?
The government has a series of programmes at hand to promote the tourism industry and attract foreign visitors. The programmes will not be hampered in the wake of lackluster budget. I am trying hard to execute all our plans in keeping with our budget.
There was an apprehension that tourists will not come to Bangladesh following the killing of an Italian citizen in Dhaka last year, but scenario is totally different. Some 10,000 additional tourists visited Bangladesh 2015 compared to that in previous year. More and more tourists are coming to our country. I hope the flow of foreign tourists will keep rising.
Please, talk about Sabrang exclusive tourist zone in Cox’s Bazar?
We have already signed an agreement with Bangladesh Export Progressing Zone (BEPZA) while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared Sabrang an ETZ. Now we are trying to attract foreign investment in this special project. Meanwhile, many foreign companies have shown their interest.
As of now Sabrang is still a virgin land and yet to come under road connectivity. It takes two and a half hours to reach the vicinity. However, work for marine drive is underway while four lanes will be developed and railroad tracks laid to get there. The development works of Cox’s Bazar airport is also going on in full swing aiming for Sabrang.
Have you any plan to resume Dhaka-New York-Dhaka flight soon?
We have a slot (aircraft landing approval) and an office in New York which is not closed yet as the government wants to resume flight in this route. Before resumption of such flight, Bangladesh will have to elevate into Category 1. As per the instruction of FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) in USA, it is an urgent need to have the aviation law and CAAB organogram passed by the Parliament.
Recently, the cabinet approved the aviation law. Immediately, the government would take an initiative to re-audit the main hub of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and CAAB to achieve Category 1 status.
When will the ministry start building 3rd terminal and 2nd runway at the airport?
At this moment, we do not have any plan to build 2nd runway at the airport, according to the latest feasibility study report. As per the report, the 2nd runway is needed after 2018. We have to build 3rd terminal as air traffic is increasing rapidly. The ministry is ready to start work, but the proposal is awaiting Finance Ministry nod. I hope, we would get a response from the ministry soon.
What’s the latest update of Bangabandhu International Airport?
Before finalising the location, the ministry will have to conduct a feasibility study. Meanwhile, people of Char Janajat have already told the prime minister that they are ready to handover their land documents to the government to build the airport. We will have to conduct a feasibility study on it as it is an island in Padma river.
The situation of Biman Bangladesh Airlines is still not quite good. What type of measures will be taken to run the airlines smoothly?
An overhauling is needed for the state-owned Biman. The then caretaker government has enacted a company law which is not valid for Biman. According to the law, Biman is 100% state-owned organisation. The government or the ministry has no control over it. But finally, as a minister, all liabilities go to me. Whenever Biman management wants to buy a new aircraft, it requests the ministry to provide a sovereign guaranty.