ADB to give $12m aid for tourism industry

FE Report

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $12 million worth of assistance to Bangladesh to develop the country's tourism industry.

The board of directors of the Manila-based lender approved the loan for Bangladesh Monday under a $57.5 million aid package for three south Asian countries, including India and Nepal.

Under the "South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project" the three neighbouring countries will develop and improve infrastructure and services for key tourism sites, a statement from the ADB headquarters said Monday.

South Asia is one of the poorer regions of the world but has many renowned and unexplored natural and cultural attractions, including the world's largest mangrove forest Sundarbans in Bangladesh, and highest mountain and Sacred Garden in Buddha's birth place Nepal and Rumtek Buddhist monastery in India.

ADB said countries in the sub-region, including India, Nepal and Bangladesh, have formed a working group for collective action to tap the synergies of their complementary tourism sites in order to expand tourism.

"However, development has been hindered by limited connectivity to sites, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of capacity by sector agencies to develop and manage key destinations."

The project will upgrade transport system, water supply, sanitation and solid waste management services to enhance the environment at key sites, capacity of sectoral agencies in a bid to manage and protect tourist places, and involve local communities for tourism promotion.