ADB to help develop 4 archaeological sites

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing US$ 12 million to Bangladesh to help develop four archaeological sites under its ongoing project 'South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development', said a tourism industry leader in the city Wednesday, reports UNB.

The four sites are Bagerhat Mosque Complex, Paharpur Mahavira, Mahasthangarh and Kantaji temple which  will be upgraded and innovated to help promote tourism, said President of Bangladesh Foundation for Tourism Development (BFTD) HM Hakim Ali at a press conference at a city hotel.

The project, to be completed in 2016, will spend US$ 15.65 million in Bangladesh of which the government will provide US$ 3.65 million while the rest will be funded by the ADB, he said.

The press conference was arranged to brief media about the three-day fourth Bangladesh International Tourism Fair (BITF-2014) to be held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre from June 19-21 to promote the country's tourism sector.

President-elect of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) Prof Dr Akbaruddin Ahmed, BFTD Executive Director Rezaul Ekram, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel General Manager Eldridge J Mac Ewan III and Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Inbound Tour Operator Association Suman Talukder also spoke at the press conference.

HM Hakim Ali said the tourism sector has immense potential to contribute to the national economy if the government takes the sector seriously. "I hope sufficient allocations will come for the industry in the coming budget."

He mentioned that the World Travel and Tourism Council has forecast that the total contribution of travel and tourism sector to Bangladesh's GDP (gross domestic product) will rise by 7.9 per cent in 2014.

Participants from the USA, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, including Indian states, will join the event, which will have a total of 160 stalls, Hakim Ali said.

Rezaul Ekram said it is just an initiative to brand Bangladesh positively and help promote tourism in Bangladesh.

Eldridge J Mac said the sector is very important and Bangladesh has many things to offer for the foreign tourists.

Dr Akbaruddin said the tourism sector has immense potential and it can be the next to the RMG (readymade garment) in terms of foreign exchange earnings if proper attention is given to it.

BFTD, in collaboration with TOAB, Bangladesh Inbound Tour Operators Association and International Hotel Association and Bangladesh Tourism Board will host the impressive fair.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon will inaugurate the fair as the chief guest. Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FBCCI) President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed will also attend the programme as a special guest.

The opening ceremony will be held at 4:30 pm followed by a cultural soiree with the participation of visiting Malaysian and Bhutanese cultural troupes.