Desk Report:
Emphasis has been placed on further strengthening mutual cooperation in the tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors between Bangladesh and Indonesia.
On Sunday (August 9) afternoon, Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Ms. Listyowati paid a courtesy call on Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Afroza Khanam, MP, and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
During the meeting, various aspects of further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and expanding cooperation in the tourism and aviation sectors were discussed.
The Indonesian Ambassador expressed his interest in working jointly with Indonesia to develop the tourism sector of Bangladesh. He expressed his interest in cooperating, especially in skill development and modernizing the training system in the hospitality sector of Bangladesh.
Minister Afroza Khanam said that the current government is working with emphasis on the development of the country’s aviation and tourism sectors. Mentioning Indonesia as an attractive destination for Bangladeshi tourists, she said that there is a considerable demand for Bangladeshi tourists in the country. She also said that the Bangladesh government is seriously considering the issue of maintaining the Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility in Indonesia for Bangladeshi ordinary passport holders.
State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said that an initiative has been taken to modernize the National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (NHTTI) under the ministry to develop the country’s tourism sector. At the same time, the government is also working on a plan to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) unit in the country with a view to establishing Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub.
During the meeting, the Indonesian ambassador expressed interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NHTTI to increase the efficiency and capacity of the hospitality sector in Bangladesh. He also expressed his commitment to cooperate with the Bangladesh government in maintaining Indonesia’s Visa on Arrival facility for Bangladeshi passport holders.
Those concerned believe that if this initiative is implemented, new opportunities for cooperation in tourism, skill development, hospitality and aviation sectors will be created between Bangladesh and Indonesia.
