DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the government adopted a grand scheme to ensure radical development of the tourism sector for attracting lot of local and foreign tourists.

She was addressing the third meeting of Jatiya Parjatan Parisad at her office. Ministers and secretaries concerned also attended the meeting.

Prime Minister’s press secretary A K M Shamim Chowdhury talked to journalists after the meeting.

He said it was decided to observe 2016 as “Tourism Year” to enhance the development of the sector.

A K M Shamim Chowdhury also said that the authorities took a decision to spend Tk 200 crore from 2015 to 2018 for the development of the sector.

Besides, the meeting discussed issues including easy process of on-arrival visa, long term multiple visa and e-visa to attract foreign tourists, he added.

They also discussed about building ‘tourist circuit’ around the archaeological sites and traditional religious establishments, he added.

BDST: 1810 HRS, MAR 04, 2015