Tashkent, Uzbekistan,19 October, 2023 :

The State Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mr. Md. Mahbub Ali is currently visiting Uzbekistan to lead a delegation to the 25th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, being held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 16-20 October 2023. The Bangladesh delegation is composed of, among others, Mr. Md. Mokammel Hossain, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Mr. Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber, CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board, Mr. Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, Bangladesh Ambassador to Spain and Permanent Representative to UNWTO, Dr. Mohammad Monirul Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to Uzbekistan, and Ms. Sanjeeda Sharmin, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. 

In his intervention at the plenary session on 18 October 2023, State Minister Mahbub Ali voiced the commitment of Bangladesh in developing eco- friendly and people centric tourism in Bangladesh. He highlighted the recent initiatives undertaken and success achieved by the government in modernizing tourism and connectivity related infrastructures, including the completion of Padma Bridge, Metro rail and Bangabandhu Tunnel. Presenting the tourism prospect and potentials, he urged the participants to explore the opportunities in Bangladesh and join hands with the phenomenal development journey that Bangladesh has embarked upon under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in all the socio- economic sectors including tourism, culture and hospitality. 

On the sidelines of the UNWTO, Hon'ble State Minister held bilateral meeting with the State Minister for Tourism of Spain, Ms. Rosa Ana Morillo Rodriguez on 19 October 2023 and shared views on the issues of mutual interests. He also interacted with the Ministers from host of other countries including Germany and Greece during the General Assembly and invited them to visit Bangladesh at mutually convenient time. 

The Director of the Civil Aviation Agency, Uzbekistan Mr. Nazrov Tahir Alaimzhanovich paid a courtesy call on the State Minister Mahbub Ali on 18 October 2023. During the call, State Minister Ali laid a great emphasis on strengthening air connectivity between the two countries, including resumption of Uzbekistan airlines for Dhaka-Tashkent sector, in order to add momentum to our existing trade and tourism. cooperation. The Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Land of Sri Lanka Mr. H.M.B.P. Herath also called on the Hon'ble State Minister on 18 October 2023, where both sides underlined the importance of further expanding tourism related collaborations, especially in the fields of tourism education, training and ocean. cruise. 

Hon'ble State Minister along with the delegation made a visit to the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 18 October 2023. He was received by the Vice- Rector of the University, Dr. Raymond Joseph Hoffman of the University and exchanged views on the possibility of institutionalizing a collaborative arrangement between the University and Bangladesh Tourism Board. 

Hon'ble State Minister is scheduled to depart Samarkand for Dhaka on 21 October 2023.