Bangladesh, Malaysia move to boost tourism cooperation

Bangladesh and Malaysia have agreed to explore new avenues for strengthening cooperation in tourism, with increased flight frequencies, easier visa procedures and hospitality skills development among the key areas discussed.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat held a meeting with Malaysian Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture YB Tuan Chiew Choon Man in Putrajaya on 18 August.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury was also present at the meeting.

The meeting discussed ways to create more diverse and attractive tourism experiences for visitors from both countries and expand mutually beneficial opportunities in the sector.

The two sides placed emphasis on increasing flight frequencies between Bangladesh and Malaysia, cultural exchanges, capacity building, visa facilitation and pre-verification, and the exchange of tourism-related knowledge, expertise and best practices.

Cooperation in hospitality training and skills development also featured in the discussions. The two sides explored ways to strengthen training for skilled workers and expand opportunities for qualified Bangladeshis to work in Malaysia's tourism and hospitality sectors.

The meeting also focused on strengthening people-to-people connectivity and promoting cultural exchanges as part of efforts to deepen bilateral relations.

Both sides expressed hope that greater cooperation in tourism, connectivity and skills development would create new opportunities and further strengthen the longstanding ties between Bangladesh and Malaysia.

Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism); Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director of International Promotion (Asia and Africa) at Tourism Malaysia; senior officials from Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Tourism Malaysia; Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Mosammat Shahanara Monica; and First Secretary (Commercial) Pranab Kumar Ghosh were also present at the meeting.