Parliament passes Bangladesh Tourism Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022

The Bangladesh Tourism Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was passed in Parliament on Tuesday aiming to boost revenue from the tourism sector.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali placed the Bill and it was sent passed by voice vote.

As per the Bill, the authorised capital of the Corporation shall be Tk 10.00 billion instead of Tk 150 million while the paid-up capital will be Tk 4.00 billion instead of Tk 500,000.

The existing law stated that the Board shall consist of a Chairman and not less than two and not more than four the whole tenure, and Directors to be appointed by the government.

With a four-member board of directors fixed by the existing law, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) now faces difficulties in taking prompt decisions in coordination with other ministries and departments concerned.

Since the ministries and departments concerned have no representative in the BPC board of directors, the BPC does get the desired assistance from the agencies for development of the country’s tourism sector.

The proposed law said an 11-member BPC board of directors will be formed with senior secretaries, secretaries and representatives of the ministries and departments concerned.

One person to be nominated by the government for such period and terms and conditions as the government may determine, who shall also be its President.

Other members - chairman of the corporation, an officer each from the tourism ministry, NBR, Legislative and Parliamentary Division, Public security Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and two directors of the Corporation to be appointed by the government.

Two representatives to be nominated by the government from non-government organisations who are directly and institutionally associated with the tourism industry.

To constitute a quorum at a meeting of the board the chairman and at least five Directors shall be present.

If, for any reason, the chairman is unable to be present at a meeting of the Board, a Director authorised in writing by the Chairman shall preside over meetings.

The head office of the corporation shall be in Dhaka while it may establish offices, branches or agencies at any other place or outside Bangladesh.

The function of the corporation to promote and develop tourism, provide facilities, undertake measures and carry out all forms of activities connected with or ancillary to tourism.