Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said Bangladesh is working to raise tourism’s contribution to national GDP from the current 2–3 percent to 7–8 percent. He made the remarks on Monday as chief guest at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs conference room on tourism development linked to historical sites and archaeological remains.

Millat described tourism as an inclusive industry closely connected with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman wants to take the country’s tourism sector to a new level. The meeting, chaired by Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, also included State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman.

The two ministries decided in principle to sign a memorandum of understanding for joint work. After signing, they will begin drafting a common policy and form a Joint Task Force for Cultural Tourism. Roy Chowdhury said Bangladesh has 554 archaeological institutions, which ministry task forces will inspect gradually before development decisions are made.