Bangladesh has reached out to the United Kingdom for assistance in removing the European Union’s designation of cargo and mail originating from the country as “High Risk.” This request was made by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat during a reception on UK investments in Bangladesh’s tourism sector at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Baridhara.
Minister Millat highlighted that cargo and mail shipments from Bangladesh have been labeled as “high risk” by the EU since June 2017. He mentioned that the government has been actively addressing the concerns leading to this categorization. Pointing to recent security assessments by the UK Department for Transport, he noted that Osmani International Airport scored 98 percent, while Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport scored 94 percent on July 17 this year.
Given these positive assessment results, Minister Millat expressed hope for the British High Commission’s cooperation and support in swiftly lifting the restriction. Emphasizing the connection between aviation progress and tourism expansion, he shared the government’s efforts to develop a diverse fleet for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, including both Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
Furthermore, Minister Millat encouraged UK investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s tourism and hospitality sector. He mentioned the government’s initiatives to attract foreign direct investment and enhance the investment climate. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s tourism potential beyond well-known destinations like the Sundarbans, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram’s hills and lakes, and Sylhet’s tea gardens. The government’s vision is to consolidate these scattered tourism assets into a well-planned, sustainable, and globally competitive industry.
Minister Millat underscored that facilitating more private investment in tourism and hospitality aligns with the government’s broader agenda for economic diversification and job creation. The event was attended by representatives from the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and the EU, along with senior officials from the Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
