The government has undertaken an initiative to prepare an integrated master plan to transform Cox’s Bazar into an international and regional tourism hub, while also reviewing longstanding development restrictions within the 50-metre and 500-metre coastal zones.
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the plans to journalists after a meeting on the integrated development of Cox’s Bazar at the Secretariat on Thursday.
The finance minister said the existing restrictions on development within the 50-metre and 500-metre coastal zones required fresh consideration.
‘Areas designated for tourism development should have hotels, motels, resorts and recreational facilities. Development opportunities should be created while ensuring environmental protection,’ he said.
He said that the Ministry of Environment should protect the environment, but regulations shouldn’t deter investment.
‘Many countries have successfully developed their coastal areas. Bangladesh also needs to adopt internationally accepted planning standards,’ he said.
The minister said Bangladesh, as a land-scarce country, should encourage planned vertical development to protect industrial zones, water bodies and agricultural land.
Major tourism cities around the world have developed through well-planned, high-rise infrastructure. Cox’s Bazar also needs such a vision,’ he said.
He said the government had already undertaken major infrastructure projects centred on Cox’s Bazar, including the construction of an international airport, the introduction of railway connectivity and the development of improved road links from Chattogram.
‘These projects will be integrated to transform Cox’s Bazar into a modern digital tourism city,’ he added.
The finance minister also said Cox’s Bazar would play a key role as one of the country’s future growth hubs in achieving Bangladesh’s target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2034, with tourism, trade and the services sector expected to make a significant contribution to national economic growth.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said responsibility for implementing the integrated development plan for Cox’s Bazar had been entrusted to the finance minister and that a comprehensive master plan would be prepared to guide the initiative.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
