The government has moved to build a world class hotel and tourism training centre on in Barisal aiming to boost tourism activities in the country's southern region, officials said.
Under the move, the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the shipping ministry on Monday.
Chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) M Mozammel Haque and Chairman of Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) Akteruzzaman Khan Kabir signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon were present at the signing ceremony.
According to the agreement, Bangladesh Tourism Corporation (BTC) will finance the construction of the motel and tourism training centre on one acre of land, owned by BIWTA.
BIWTA will hand over the land to BTC for 30 years under 'licenced property asset' which is renewable after every 10 years.
After 30 years, the two ministries may extend the duration further through mutual discussion.
BTC will provide BIWTA with Tk 0.5 million as refundable security money within next three months.
After signing the MoU, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said it would open up a new horizon of development activities in the country's southern region.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon said the two ministries made joint efforts to build the motel and tourism training centre.
It will help expand tourism activities in the southern region of the country, he added.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com