DHAKA, June 1, 2023 (BSS) - A total of Taka 6,597 crore has been allocated 
for Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry in the proposed budget for 2023-24 
fiscal year (FY) aiming at upgrading the air transport system as well as 
expanding tourism industry to meet the global standards. 

The allocation in the proposed budget is Taka 969 crore more than the revised 
budget of 2022-23 fiscal that was Taka 5,628. The proposed budget of the 
fiscal 2022-23 for Civil Aviation and Tourism ministry was Taka 7,004 crore. 

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal made the announcement while placing the 
budget for FY2023-24 in the Jatiya Sangsad here today. 

The minister proposed to exempt Advance Tax on import of Aircraft Engine, 
Turbo Jet and Aircraft Parts, imported by registered airlines, in order to 
facilitate trade and reduce aviation operational costs.
 
However, Kamal proposed multi-modal increase in travel tax rates to reduce 
unnecessary foreign travel among the public, inculcate austerity habits and 
create new revenue streams in economy. 

"This policy will give us more revenue on the one hand and save dollars on 
the other hand by reducing unnecessary foreign travel," he said.

The minister also proposed to withdraw the existing notification for 
importing hotel materials at concessionary rate which is in place for a 
decade. 

"As many large-scale and high-quality hotels have already been built under 
this facility, it seems unnecessary to continue the duty tax exemption, and 
therefore, for the sake of revenue protection, I propose to withdraw the 
existing notification," he said. 

At his speech, the finance minister said that the government has made 
significant strides in expanding air fleet and undertaking airport 
development projects.

Currently, he said, construction of the third terminal building of Hazrat 
Shahjalal International Airport is underway, an area of 2,30,000 square 
metres, which is expected to be opened in October 2023. 

Additionally, he said, construction of the export-import cargo complex 
encompassing a total area of 63,000 square metres is scheduled to be 
completed by April 2024. 

Besides, the minister said, an Export Cargo Complex with a total area of 
44,944 square feet has been constructed at Sylhet Osmani International 
Airport to facilitate the storage and handling of export goods. 

The upgrading work of Cox's Bazar Airport to an international airport is also 
underway, he added. 

"In addition to expanding and developing airports, we are also focusing on 
increasing the number of international flights and new destinations," said 
the minister. 

Regarding tourism industry, the finance minister said, the 'Tourism Master 
Plan' spanning 25 years is being formulated for the promotion and expansion 
of the tourism industry. 

It is worth mentioning that tourism has been identified as a significant 
industry in the National Industrial Policy, 2022, Kamal added. 

"Consistent with the country's economic and social progress and increasing 
demand of domestic and foreign tourists, we are working towards making the 
tourism industry more eco-friendly, safe, and sustainable," he said. 

The minister said steps have been taken to prevent unplanned construction of 
hotels and motels in tourist centres such as Cox's Bazar and Saint Martin, 
limit the number of tourists within the capacities of the tourist centres and 
preserve biodiversity by engaging local communities, businessmen and other 
stakeholders.

"we are building three tourist parks namely, Sabrang tourism Park, Naf 
Tourism Park, and Sonadia Eco-Tourism Park to international standard in terms 
of accommodation and entertainment facility in the district of Cox's Bazar," 
he said. 

The minister also mentioned that the "National Tourism Human Capital 
Development Strategy for Bangladesh: 2021-2030" has been prepared as a 
strategy document to create employment opportunities and to supply tourism 
workers in the tourism industry in the country.