JS body proposes merging cultural, tourism ministries

A parliamentary body yesterday recommended that the government unifies cultural and tourism ministries into one, to flourish of country’s tourism sector.

The parliamentary standing committee on cultural affairs yesterday came up with the recommendation at its meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Members of the parliamentary watchdog also decided to meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina soon to convince her, meeting sources told The Daily Star.

“Across the world, culture and tourism ministries work hand in hand. But in our country, tourism was included with civil aviation ministry, which the standing committee thinks is illogical,” Kazi Keramat Ali, an AL lawmaker and a member of the committee who was present at yesterday’s meeting, told this correspondent.

He also said, “The tourism sector could not flourish so far in the country up to the desired level, and we think the respective ministry has failed to do so.”

The committee therefore recommended that the government unite cultural and tourism ministries, like most countries in the world, for betterment of the country’s tourism sector, said another member of the parliamentary body.

The meeting was presided over by AL MP and chairperson of the standing committee Simeen Hussain Rimi.