The Bangladesh government is reviewing long-standing coastal development restrictions as it prepares an integrated masterplan to transform Cox’s Bazar into an international and regional tourism hub.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Thursday that the government was reassessing the existing 50-metre and 500-metre environmental setback rules to support planned tourism development while ensuring environmental protection.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat after a meeting on the integrated development plan for Cox’s Bazar, the minister said designated tourism zones would require hotels, motels, resorts and recreational facilities to attract domestic and international visitors.
“Where tourism is to be developed, hotels, motels, resorts and recreational facilities will have to be established. Development opportunities must be created while protecting the environment,” he said.
The minister said the government was preparing a comprehensive masterplan that would integrate major infrastructure projects already underway in the district. These include the expansion of Cox’s Bazar International Airport, the establishment of railway connectivity and the upgrading of road links with Chattogram.
He said the combined infrastructure would help transform Cox’s Bazar into a modern digital tourism city and position it as a leading regional destination.
According to the minister, the government expects Cox’s Bazar to become one of Bangladesh’s key economic growth hubs, contributing to the country's target of building a US$1 trillion economy by 2034. He said expanding tourism, trade and the services sector would strengthen the district’s contribution to national economic growth.
Earlier in the day, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury addressed his first meeting with Finance Division officials at the Ministry of Finance, where he said the ultimate success of the national budget would depend on effective implementation rather than its preparation alone.
“The budget has received appreciation from all sections of society. However, no matter how well a budget is prepared, its real success depends on successful implementation,” he said.
The meeting was chaired by Finance Division Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder.
The finance minister urged officials to improve public confidence in the bureaucracy through efficient and citizen-focused service delivery. Drawing on his experience over the past four months, he said collective efforts could overcome any challenge.
He also encouraged officials to move beyond conventional approaches by embracing innovative ideas suited to a rapidly changing global environment. He called for a more participatory workplace where officials could express their views freely, instead of limiting meetings to one-way discussions.
Emphasising open dialogue and teamwork, the minister said officials should treat the workplace like a family and focus on finding practical solutions rather than simply identifying problems. He also stressed the importance of objective and timely feedback from different wings of the Finance Division to support informed policymaking.
Describing the Finance Division as the driving force of Bangladesh's economy, Amir Khosru urged officials to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, sincerity and commitment to the national interest.
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