Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Wednesday said that initiatives are being taken to rid Cox’s Bazar of plastic waste.

She said this while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a four-day Bangladesh Festival held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Wednesday.

“We have initiated a campaign to make the St. Martin's Island plastic-free, and in the future, we aim to extend this effort to Cox's Bazar beach. We are committed to ensuring the successful implementation of government plans, and I urge everyone to fulfill their responsibilities diligently. This initiative is closely linked to our economic growth,” said Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.

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“Cox's Bazar beach lacks the activities and attractions seen in other countries around the world. If we can enhance the tourist experience, foreign tourists will be more interested,” she noted.

Drawing examples from a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Speaker shared insights on the potential economic benefits of tourism.

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“Sri Lanka is thriving solely on tourism income.  If we can emulate their model, our economy will also thrive. To achieve this, we can organise tourist buses in Dhaka,” she said.

The Speaker also said that such an initiative will allow foreign tourists to explore the traditions of Dhaka City through specific tours, including routes for Old Dhaka, New Dhaka, and river routes. 

“I believe it will be highly beneficial,” she added.

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