DHAKA, June 13, 2018 (BSS) – An allocation of Taka 3,426 crore has been
made in the budget proposed for 2019-20 fiscal for Civil Aviation and Tourism
Ministry targeting to establish international standard aviation as well as
flourish tourism industry for the country’s sustainable growth.
The allocation in the proposed budget is Taka 2,355 crore more than the
revised budget of 2018-19 fiscal that was Taka 1,071 crore. The proposed
budget of the fiscal 2018-19 for Civil Aviation and Tourism ministry was Taka
1,508 crore.
Of the total Taka 3,426 crore, Taka 3,375 crore will be spent under the
Annual Development Programme (ADP) and Taka 51 crore under non-development
sector.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal made the announcement while placing the
budget for the new financial year before the Jatiya Sangsad today.
At his speech, the finance minister said the government has taken various
steps for the infrastructural development at airports and ensuring easy and
safe air travel for passengers to facilitate fast and standard international
and domestic aviation.
“Construction of the third terminal at the Hazrat Shahjalal International
Airport is in progress to enhance its passenger handling capacity to 12
million,” he said.
The minister said site selection and feasibility study on the construction
of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib International Airport is in progress.
Besides, he said runways expansion and capacity enhancement of Cox’s Bazar
and Sylhet Osmani Airports at international standard are underway while
feasibility study to upgrade Syedpur Airport to international level has been
completed, he said.
Kamal said tourism sector will also be given priority in order to ensure
sustained and balanced growth of the country.
Mentioning that Bangladesh has many tourist spots which are yet to be fully
introduced to the world, the finance minister said, “All potential tourist
spots in the country will be gradually made suitable for both local and
foreign tourists.”
He said work on establishing an Exclusive Tourist Zone is underway at
Sabrang in Cox’s Bazar for foreign tourists. Describing potential of the blue
economy, the finance minister said sea eco-tourism and boat tourism will be
introduced through private sector.