Bangladesh seeks visa-on-arrival facility from Indonesia

Bangladesh today (9 August) sought Visa on Arrival (VoA) facilities from Indonesia for its ordinary passport holders as Dhaka and Jakarta discussed ways to deepen cooperation in tourism, hospitality and aviation.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam raised the issue during a meeting with Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Listyowati at the ministry.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat was also present at the meeting.

Afroza said Indonesia is a popular destination among Bangladeshi travellers and that the government attaches importance to securing Visa on Arrival facilities for Bangladeshi ordinary passport holders travelling to the Southeast Asian country.

The Indonesian ambassador expressed her willingness to cooperate with the Bangladesh government in efforts to facilitate the VoA facility for Bangladeshi passport holders.

During the meeting, the two sides also stressed further strengthening bilateral relations, particularly through greater cooperation in tourism and hospitality.

Ambassador Listyowati expressed Indonesia's interest in working with Bangladesh to develop the country's tourism sector.

State Minister Millat said the government has taken initiatives to modernise the National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (NHTTI) as part of its efforts to develop skilled human resources for the tourism and hospitality industry.

He also said the government is considering establishing a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bangladesh as part of its plan to develop the country into an aviation hub.

The Indonesian ambassador expressed interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NHTTI to strengthen cooperation in Bangladesh's hospitality sector.

The meeting also discussed broader opportunities for strengthening Bangladesh-Indonesia cooperation in aviation and tourism.