Diplomatic Desk:
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, has emphasized the need to further strengthen the long-standing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Turkey, as well as to enhance mutual cooperation in the aviation and tourism sectors.
The Minister made these remarks on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) during a meeting at his office in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism with a Turkish delegation led by the Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, H.E. Ramis Şen.
Other members of the Turkish delegation present at the meeting included Mr. Bilal Belyurt, Commercial Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy, and Mr. Islam Gure, Country Director of Turkish Airlines Bangladesh.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister welcomed the Turkish Ambassador and his delegation, stating that the existing historical and friendly ties between Bangladesh and Turkey are of great importance. He also noted that there are vast opportunities to enhance cooperation in areas such as culture, creativity, tourism, and people-to-people contact.
The expansion of air connectivity between Bangladesh and Turkey was a key focus of the meeting. Currently, Turkish Airlines operates seven flights per week on the Dhaka-Istanbul route. Welcoming Turkey’s interest in operating three additional flights, the Minister stated that opportunities for additional flights would expand further once the Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport becomes operational.
Furthermore, considering the international travel needs of people from various regions of the country, the Minister urged for the consideration of expanding direct air links with Turkey from Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport and Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport.
He noted that a large number of expatriate Bangladeshis—particularly those from the Sylhet and Chattogram regions—have a demand for international travel. Therefore, launching additional flights from these airports would facilitate easier connectivity for the people of both countries. Regarding the development of the tourism sector, the Minister stated that initiatives have been undertaken to develop 1,498 tourism spots in Bangladesh under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Government of Bangladesh is actively encouraging foreign investors to invest in infrastructure development, management, and service quality enhancement at these tourism sites.
Inviting Turkish investors to invest in Bangladesh’s tourism sector, he noted that Turkey’s experience in tourism development, hospitality, and related fields could play a significant role in advancing Bangladesh’s tourism industry.
The issue of simplifying visa procedures for Bangladeshi citizens was also discussed at length during the meeting. The Minister emphasized that easing visa facilities is crucial for fostering greater people-to-people contact, business, tourism, and mutual cooperation between the two nations.
He remarked that as people-to-people connections grow, the relationship between the two countries will become deeper and more multifaceted; to this end, both Bangladesh and Turkey need to take effective measures to simplify visa processes.
During the meeting, both sides expressed interest in further strengthening air connectivity, tourism, investment, and people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and Turkey.
In conclusion, highlighting the friendly relations between the two nations, the Minister stated that the Government of Bangladesh is working sincerely to further strengthen the existing ties. He expressed optimism that the people of both countries would benefit from the expanded mutual cooperation, particularly in the sectors of aviation and tourism.
