DHAKA, Feb 22, 2024 (BSS) - Switzerland today showed keen interest to establish direct air-connectivity between Bangladesh and Switzerland.
 
Swiss ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli expressed this interest in a call on meeting with Bangladesh Civil aviation and tourism minister Muhammad Faruk Khan held today at the ministry, a press release said. 
 
In response, the minister welcomed the Swiss interest and said the 'Air Service Agreement' will be signed within the next two months, after that Bangladesh will mull over the direct air-connectivity with Switzerland.
 
Faruk Khan said that the modern state of art 3rd Terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) will be operational for passengers from October this year and hoped that the existing air passenger and cargo capacity will double within a few years.
 
Pointing out that Bangladesh is located in international aviation routes, the minister said "we are working to utilize this opportunity to transform Bangladesh into one of the major aviation hubs".
 
About the tourism sector, Khan said the government has already formulated the 'Tourism Master Plan' for the first time which will be implemented soon for ensuring planned and sustainable tourism development.
 
The minister assured the ambassador that all types of assistance will be provided to the Swiss businessmen to invest in Bangladesh's intensive tourism zones. 
 
Ambassador Renggli expressed his satisfaction on working with the ’Bangladesh Air Service Agreement' team. 
 
He also ensured that he will talk to Swiss investors to invest in the tourism industry of Bangladesh.