Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Choudhury announced Saturday that authorities would soon establish a tourism support centre in Sylhet, citing the region's untapped potential as a travel destination.

"Jaintiapur, Gowainghat, and Companiganj areas of Sylhet have immense tourism potential. We want to introduce a tourism support centre to boost tourism," the minister said at an Eid reunion held at Jaintiapur Upazila Parishad.

Choudhury, who also serves as minister for expatriates' welfare and overseas employment and represents Sylhet-4 in parliament, unveiled plans to convert the historic Jaintiapur Rajbari—a centuries-old royal palace—into a public museum.

The minister outlined a broader development agenda for the region, pledging expanded technical and vocational training for students of local Qawmi madrasas to improve their employment prospects and promising enhanced sports and recreational facilities across schools, colleges, and religious institutions.

Addressing the needs of overseas job seekers, Choudhury said a dedicated technical training centre would be established exclusively for intending migrant workers.

He directed upazila administration and law enforcement agencies to step up efforts against illegal structures and drug trafficking in the area.

The programme was chaired by UNO Sunanda Roy and attended by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Poly Rani Deb, Jaintiapur Upazila BNP General Secretary Abdul Hafiz, and other political and community leaders.

The minister later visited several tourist sites in Jaintiapur.

Source: BSS