Bangladesh Wants To Emulate Malaysia's Infrastructure Development To Attract More Tourists.

28th March, 2013

Bangladesh Wants To Emulate Malaysia's Infrastructure Development To Attract More Tourists.

KUALA LUMPUR - Bangladesh is keen to emulate Malaysia's infrastructure development to attract more tourists to the country, said Bangladesh's High Commissioner to Malaysia A.K.M. Atiqur Rahman. He said tourists were easily attracted to Malaysia because of its infrastructure.

For example, an average of 500 people from Bangladesh fly to Malaysia each day, with three flights operating daily between Kuala Lumpur and Dhaka, he told Bernama in an interview recently, in conjunction with the country's 42nd independence anniversary celebration yesterday.

Atiqur Rahman said the lack of infrastructure facilities had restricted the country from getting more tourists from around the globe. "Once we can do these things (rebuild infrastructure), I think we will get more tourists, not only from Malaysia but also from other countries," he said. However, he noted that a lot of work needed to be done, not only to improve Bangladesh's infrastructure but also to develop air links, hotels and restaurants.

The High Commissioner said Bangladesh had many tourist attractions, including the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and home to the Bengal tiger. The Sundarban forest covers around 10,000 square km, of which a major portion is in Bangladesh, while India's portion is estimated to be around 4,264 square km.

Atiqur Rahman said Bangladesh is also known for its Cox's Bazar beach, which is one of the world's longest natural sandy beaches and also a fishing port, an added value to attract more tourists.

Touching on investments, he said a number of Malaysian companies were investing in housing projects in the country. However, he sees the need for more collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry as Bangladesh maintains a high standard of medicinal products at very competitive prices. "So, we hope that by the next three to five years, there will be lot of Malaysian companies investing in Bangladesh in the medical sector also," Atiqur Rahman said.

Touching on bilateral relations, he said diplomatic ties with Malaysia began in 1972, a year after Bangladesh attained its independence. He lauded the Malaysian government and its people for being the first Muslim and Southeast Asian country to recognise Bangladesh, just within months after its liberation on Dec 16, 1971 (regarded as Victory Day).

By: Azzah Mohamad

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