The government has decided in principle to offer Probashi Card holders special discounts on Biman Bangladesh Airlines tickets and Balaka Lounge services alongside priority check-in and boarding facilities at airports.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam disclosed this today while chairing a meeting at the ministry’s conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat on the responsibilities of airport-related organisations regarding implementation of the Probashi Card initiative.

“We have taken initiatives to ensure all kinds of facilities and benefits for our expatriate brothers. A policy decision has been taken to provide special discounts on Biman Bangladesh Airlines tickets and the use of the Balaka Lounge,” she said.

Afroza said the government is committed to making air travel more convenient and hassle-free for expatriate Bangladeshis.

“We are committed to ensuring hassle-free air travel services for expatriates,” she said.

Referring to steps already taken to improve passenger services, the minister said a shuttle bus service has been introduced at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) for the convenience of passengers.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said further facilities are being considered for expatriates under the Probashi Card programme.

He said the government is considering providing special discounts to Probashi Card holders at hotels and motels operated by the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation.

The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry would also take necessary measures to introduce priority check-in and boarding facilities for expatriate Bangladeshis, he added.

These special facilities and benefits would be accessible through the Probashi Card introduced by the incumbent government, the meeting was told.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, at the beginning of the meeting, presented various areas of cooperation required from the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry and airport-related organisations for effective implementation of the Probashi Card.

The Probashi Card initiative was included in the incumbent government’s election manifesto and is aimed at facilitating services and providing special benefits to expatriate Bangladeshis.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque also attended the meeting.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Employment for the Asia-Pacific Region Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan and senior officials of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry and their subordinate agencies were present.