ZCZC
JS-38
BUDGET-AVIATION-TOURISM
Tk 4,032cr budget for civil aviation, tourism
DHAKA, June 3, 2021 (BSS) – An allocation of Taka 4,032 crore has been made in the budget proposed for 2021-22 fiscal for Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry aiming at establishing world class aviation system as well as protecting the tourism industry from adverse impact of pandemic.
The allocation in the proposed budget is Taka 1,048 crore more than the revised budget of 2020-21 fiscal that was Taka 2,984 crore. The proposed budget of the fiscal 2020-21 for Civil Aviation and Tourism ministry was Taka 3,688 crore.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal made the announcement while placing the budget for the new financial year in the Jatiya Sangsad today.
At his speech, the finance minister said the government has taken various steps to build a world class air transport system in the country.
In the last 12 years, he said, Bangladesh Biman has taken various activities to expand its fleet while replacing the old aircrafts.
So far, he said, four new 777-300ERs, two new 737-800s and four new 787-8 (Dreamliner) and three Dash-8 aircraft have been added to the national flag carrier fleet on a G-to-G basis while there is a plan to expand and relaunch the international routes of Bangladesh Biman.
The finance minister said the government is implementing various projects to increase the capacity of domestic and international airports in Bangladesh.
These include Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Expansion Project (Phase II), Communication, Navigation and Surveillance-Air Traffic Management System Radar Installation at the same Airport, Sylhet Osmani International Airport Development, Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport Development and Cargo Terminal Construction, Jessore Airport Development, Construction of Khanjahan Ali Airport under PPP and upgrading of runways of Syedpur, Jessore and Rajshahi airports to 10,000 feet.
“We expect that implementation of these projects will bring the desired growth in aviation,” he added.
About the travel and leisure sector, Kamal said, as per the 8th Five Year Plan, the government has taken various steps to develop the tourism industry in Bangladesh as a developed, sustainable and prosperous sector.
“To overcome the negative impact of the pandemic on the tourism sector, the government has formulated a standard operating procedure to keep domestic and international tourism activities following health safety protocols,” he said.
In addition, the finance minister said, various programmes are being implemented, including the development of infrastructure of natural, historical, cultural, religious and pilgrimage sites in Bangladesh.
BSS/ASG/TA/GA/1902 hrs