The government is working to make Bangladesh a regional aviation hub connecting South Asia with other regions of the world, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, MP.
She said this while speaking as the chief guest at a program titled “Saudia and HSBC: Powering Global Connectivity—Celebrating Saudia’s Journey in Bangladesh” organized at a hotel in Banani, the capital, on Monday (July 27) evening.
The minister said that Bangladesh has started a new journey in the aviation sector. The government is working to build modern airport infrastructure, improve passenger service quality and expand Bangladesh’s connectivity on international air routes.
She also said that the government’s goal is to establish Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub, which will more effectively connect South Asia with different regions of the world. To this end, the government welcomes cooperation and investment from international airlines, financial institutions and strategic investors.
Praising Saudia’s long-standing activities in Bangladesh, the minister said that Saudia has been serving the country as one of the country’s leading foreign airlines for the past 46 years. The company has facilitated international travel for millions of passengers, played an important role in the travel of expatriate workers, and ensured safe and reliable services for pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah. He also mentioned that through this, the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have been further strengthened.
The event was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (Investment and Capital Market Affairs) Tanvir Ghani, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Ibn Dhafer Ibn Ubayyah, senior officials of Saudia, HSBC Bank and various institutions.
The speakers emphasized on further strengthening air connectivity, trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people contacts between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. The role of the aviation sector in expanding global connectivity and the prospects for future cooperation were also discussed.
