The growth in the aviation industry of Bangladesh has doubled in the past 10 years and is set to be tripled in the next 15 years, said State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali.
Reiterating the government’s aspiration to transform Bangladesh into a global aviation hub, the state minister said: "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government is working sincerely to make this possibility a reality."
He made the remarks while speaking as a chief guest at the 58th DGCA conference, organized by Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority at a hotel in the capital.
As the country marks 50 years of its membership at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the state minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to realize Banganbandhu’s dream to transform this country into an aviation hub.
Mahbub Ali said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the architect of modern Bangladesh, the aviation industry of Bangladesh has developed in the last 14 and a half years by ensuring international standards. "
"In order to ensure the rapid growth of the aviation industry and to maintain international standards, various development works including the construction of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have already been completed,” he added.
The state minister said several other development works are underway at all airports across the country, including timely infrastructure development and expansion, public efficiency development, safety improvement and safe aviation.
“Our goal is to make Bangladesh one of the world's aviation hubs, harnessing the potential and geographical importance of Bangladesh,” he added.
The state minister highlighted various sustainable and visionary initiatives taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to empower women and ensure gender equality in the aviation industry and beyond.
Chaired by Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mofidur Rahman, the inaugural ceremony of the 58th DGC Conference was also addressed by ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mokammel Hossain and ICAO Council Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar.