‘Help flourish tourism sector’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged private entrepreneurs to come forward to develop the country's tourism sector and help achieve inclusive economic growth.

"Tourism is very important to achieve inclusive economic growth of the country, which include poverty alleviation, massive job creation and improvement of living standards of marginal people," she said in a message issued yesterday on the occasion of "International Hilsa, Tourism and Development Festival-2021" to be held today.

The prime minister said, "Alongside the public initiatives, I call upon the private entrepreneurs to come forward spontaneously to this end."

Tourism is recognised as the most labour-intensive and largest industry in the world, she said.

Hasina said the government is taking innovative steps to conduct tourism activities following the country's long-practised tradition and maintaining ecological balance of the environment, so that locals can be benefitted from the activities.

The premier said after achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Bangladesh is moving towards implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.  "Meanwhile, 'Vision-2021' was implemented. Now we are working on implementing Vision 2041 and Delta Plan-2100. I do believe the implementation of those will take Bangladesh to a new height."