The government is working so that at least 20,000 Malaysian tourists visit Bangladesh next year, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh Tourism Board, Jabed Ahmed, said today.

"The government is working to celebrate tourism year in 2021, marking the 50th anniversary of independence. In this context, the government is taking various initiatives to ensure that at least 20,000 Malaysian tourists visit Bangladesh next year," he said.

He was addressing a webinar jointly organised by Bhraman, a travel magazine, and the Bangladesh Tourism Board, titled 'Visit Bangladesh: The New Horizons for the Malaysian Tourist'.

Jabed Ahmed said that the government will take all possible initiatives to ensure that tourists from ASEAN and OIC member countries visit Bangladesh to celebrate next year's tourism year and make it a success for Bangladesh, which is on the list of potential successes in tourism after Covid-19.

Ambassador of Malaysia Amir Farid Abu Hasan, Chairman of Bangladesh Tourism Corporation Ram Chandra Das, Acting Chief of Tourist Police Md Fazlur Rahman were present as special guests at the function conducted by Abu Sufian, editor of Bhraman.

Fitra Mohammad Ali, Industry Development, Islamic Tourism Center, Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia, presented the keynote address from Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia.

He highlighted various aspects of how the two countries can work together for tourism development.

The Malaysian ambassador stressed the importance of strengthening tourism and cultural ties between the two countries.

He also said his government and the high commission would extend all possible cooperation in this regard so that Bangladesh-Malaysia tourism relations could reach a new height.