Govt to form taskforce for easing visa procedure

The government on Sunday decided to form an inter-ministerial taskforce to identify problems regarding issuing Bangladesh visa to foreigners for giving a boost to tourist flow into Bangladesh.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, Home Ministry and Foreign Ministry jointly took the decision at a roundtable on 'Visa on-Arrival' to ensure smooth and hassle-free travel for foreign tourists.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam attended the meeting, organised by Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), held at the conference room of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital, a news agency report said.
Menon said the task force to be formed will address all the issues that appear as barriers for easing the visa procedure especially issuing the on arrival visa to the tourists.
He said the visa issuing procedure must be eased and e-visa need to be introduced to achieve the target of attracting one million foreign tourists next year, declared as the tourism year by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Shahriar Alam said the government wants to make foreign tourists' travel easy but not compromising safety and security of the country.
"Yes, we want to make tourists entry easier but not compromising our safety and security," he said adding that the hazards of being open will have to be considered seriously.
The State Minister said it is not true that only easy visa process will boost tourists flow as improvement of other areas are involved.
He said there is a lack of uniformity regarding visa and other issues that needs to be addressed.
State Minister for Home assured of providing all out support to address the prevailing problems.
He said the government will work on the recommendations came from the stakeholders.
Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Sanaul Huq said security issue must be taken seriously so that Bangladesh does not turn a safe sanctuary for criminals in the name of easing visa process.
Stakeholders of the tourism industry stressed introducing e-visa and easing on arrival visa process, and removing the problems now facing by foreign tourists.
They also urged the authorities concerned to reduce time for crossing immigration as tourists go through a lengthy process in immigration.
Bengal Tours owner Masud Hossain and Additional Home Secretary Mostafa Kamal made separate presentation in the seminar.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Khorshed Alam Chowdhury moderated the discussion. Principal Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and Foreign Minister Director General (Consular) M Lutfar Rahman also spoke.