Cross-border tourism facilities through carnet proposed

FE Report
Speakers at a pre-budget discussion on Civil Aviation and Tourism Friday stressed on proper allocation for important tourism projects, infrastructure and utility development and training for various stakeholders for the development of tourism sector in the ensuing 2014-15 budget.
They also suggested allocation for airport construction,  area-based tourist spot development, international marketing and promotion of international standard tourism product, investment in safety and security, awareness campaign to create tourism friendly mentality, abolishment of  article 52Q  of the income tax ordinance, 1984 for the tour operators and VAT on service charge, import of duty free vehicles for the inbound tour operators, incentive for the foreign exchange earning tour operators and providing cross-border tourism facilities through carnet.
They were speaking at a pre-budget discussion at the Dhaka Reporter's Unity (DRU) in the city. Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) and Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) organized the discussion in collaboration with Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB).
Civil Aviation and Tourism minister Rashed Khan Menon was present at the discussion as the chief guest. Two keynote papers were presented on behalf of TOAB and ATAB. Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Additional Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem analysed different aspects of upcoming budget focusing civil aviation and tourism sector. ATJFB Convener Nadira Kiron conducted the discussion.
In his speech Rashed Khan Menon called upon the private sector to come up with a greater investment for developing exclusive tourist zones (ETZ) identified by the government under public private partnership as the government has resource constraints.
"At this moment, the government won't be able to provide the required amount of money for the development of those zones. We need private investment in a bigger way under the public-private partnership (PPP)," Menon said.
Bangladesh needs to have regional approach to ensure greater benefits from the tourism sector.
ATAB Secretary General Zinnur Ahmed Chowdhury Dipu and TOAB Director Taufiq Rahman presented the keynote papers.