Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui, chief executive officer of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, took part as a panelist at a forum in Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital, on 13 October, a press release said.
He set out Bangladesh’s views on tourism development and investment alongside ministerial-level representatives from Montenegro, Malta, Bulgaria, the Maldives, Albania, Cyprus and Malaysia.
The government of Montenegro and UN Tourism organized the forum, bringing together tourism ministers, policymakers and industry leaders from Europe and Asia.
Discussions covered a skilled tourism workforce, easier travel, wider air links, sustainable growth, investment and stronger international partnerships.
The opening session included speeches by Montenegro’s tourism minister Simonida Kordić, UN Tourism secretary-general Shaikha Al Nowais, the Maldives’ Abdulla Niyaz and the Philippines’ Dakila F Gonzalez.
The meeting closed with the adoption of the Podgorica Declaration, described as one of its main outcomes. Faruqui called Bangladesh’s participation an important chance to present the country’s tourism potential abroad and to exchange experience with international partners.