Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruki presented Bangladesh’s views on tourism investment, air connectivity, and sustainable tourism development at a high-level forum in Montenegro, according to a press release.

Faruki took part as a panellist at the tourism investment forum in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica on Oct 13. He joined ministerial-level representatives from Montenegro, Malta, Bulgaria, the Maldives, Albania, Cyprus, and Malaysia and spoke about Bangladesh’s tourism potential and investment outlook.

The forum was jointly organised by the Montenegrin government and UN Tourism, the United Nations’ tourism agency. Tourism ministers, policymakers, and industry leaders from several European and Asian countries attended.

Discussions covered building a skilled tourism workforce, easing travel, expanding air connectivity, sustainable growth, investment, and partnerships.

Montenegrin Tourism Minister Simonida Kordic, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais, Dr Abdulla Niyaz of the Maldives, and Dakila F Gonzales of the Philippines spoke at the opening session.

The forum adopted the “Podgorica Declaration”, which was described as one of its key outcomes.

Faruki described participation in the forum as very important, saying it offered a chance to present Bangladesh’s tourism potential internationally and exchange experience with global partners.

The information provided did not include the text of the Podgorica Declaration, details of what Faruki said in the panel, or any investment commitments made at the forum.