Cooperation needed to expand tourism

Stressing the importance of expanding “Halal Tourism”, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government is taking initiatives to increase infrastructural and recreational facilities in the country for tourists.

"We're taking initiatives to expand infrastructural and recreational facilities for tourists. Besides, world-class facilities are also being made available in different parts of the country in the private sector," she said.

The prime minister said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the three-day 10th Session of the Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM) of OIC at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.

She said Islamic economy continues to grow and be operated by the Muslim community around the world due to the universal acceptability of Islamic products and services.

"It has huge potentials to develop faith-based Islamic products and services. These products and services have become popular even in non-Muslim communities," Sheikh Hasina said.

She said OIC member-states need enhanced cooperation and partnerships both in public and private sectors to develop halal foods, Islamic finance, halal pharmaceuticals and cosmetics and Halal Tourism as these are among the growing sectors of the Islamic economy.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the 10th ICTM, being held with the theme of 'Promoting Regional Integration through Tourism'.