Budget loses sight of tourism

FE Report | Published: June 05, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The proposed budget has not kept any special allocation for the tourism industry, though the government has declared it a thrust sector.
In his budget speech, finance minister AMA Muhith mentioned a series of steps taken by the government to help flourish the country's tourism sector, but no allocation was proposed in the budget that can directly benefit the tourism industry despite repeated call from the industry for years.
However, the finance minister Thursday proposed to allocate Tk 3.72 billion for the FY 2015-16 apparently aiming to expand the fleet of the national flag carrier Bangladesh Biman and construction of new airports.
The budget was increased by 153 per cent from Tk 1.72 billion revised budget for the FY 2014-15, proposed budget of Tk 1.60 billion for the FY 2014-15 and actual budget of Tk 2.74 billion for the FY 2013-14.
The overall budget for the communication infrastructure sector was proposed Tk 263.29 billion in the just-announced budget.
"Steps have been taken to improve the capacity of Hazrat Shahajalal International Airport to provide better services. Cox's Bazar Airport development project is going to be initiated," said finance minister AMA Muhith in his budget speech.
He said in order to enhance passenger carrying capacity and standard of services of the Bangladesh Biman, the process of adding new generation aircrafts to its fleet is underway. Moreover, there are plans to construct airports to be named after Khan Jahan Ali and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He added the year 2016 has been declared to be 'Tourism Year' to breathe new life into the sector.
Although local tourists will play the key role in observing this year, initiatives will be taken to gradually increase the number of international tourists to around 1.0 million and income from this sector to US$200 million by 2018 through improving the facilities at different places of tourist interest.
"We've taken a number of steps to expand eco-tourism industry including opening up of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park with facilities of international standard at Gazipur and Sheikh Russel Aviary and Eco Park in Chittagong," said the minister.
A site has been chosen to establish an eco-park in Sylhet, which will soon be opened, he said adding the Sundarbans Tourism Policy has been approved.
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