Bangladesh's Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at developing cultural tourism in the country, according to a press release from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

The decision was made at an interministerial meeting held Monday at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs' conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat, focused on developing historical sites and archaeological monuments under a tourism-oriented approach, the release said.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, attended as chief guest, while Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury chaired the session. Also present were State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam and Prime Minister's Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman.

Speaking as chief guest, Millat said tourism was "an inclusive industry" closely tied to the cultural affairs ministry and noted the sector currently contributes only 2-3 percent to the country's GDP. The government is working to raise that contribution to 7-8 percent, he said.

Millat added that following the MOU signing, the two ministries would jointly develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and form a Joint Taskforce for Cultural Tourism to advance the sector. Responding to a proposal from the state minister for cultural affairs, he also said promotional activities marking the "Nazrul Year" would be organised for passengers arriving at the country's airports from abroad.

In his remarks as chair, Chowdhury said Bangladesh's cultural heritage spans a thousand years, and the current government aimed to preserve and showcase it globally. He said the ministry's task force would inspect the country's 554 archaeological sites in phases, with development decisions to follow.

The meeting was also attended by Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Maula, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter, NDC, and senior officials from both ministries, according to the release.