Staff Correspondent

Newly appointed Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat officially assumed office at the Secretariat, where ministry officials and employees welcomed him with floral greetings on Sunday.

Following his arrival, the minister joined an introductory meeting as the chief guest with officials from the ministry and its subordinate departments.

Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for the assignment, Minister Millat noted that cabinet reshuffles are a standard process and emphasized his intent to lead through teamwork to accelerate ministry operations. To streamline coordination, he announced plans to spend at least one working day a week operating out of the Civil Aviation Authority or Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Resolving coordination gaps between the ministry and its agencies will be his primary focus.

Addressing the assembled officials, the minister warned that good performance will be rewarded while negligence will face strict repercussions. He urged officials to move beyond conventional bureaucracy and adopt innovative planning to make the ministry more dynamic.

Regarding ongoing aviation and tourism projects, the minister stated that authorities are working toward a soft opening of the Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16, with formal agreements with Japanese partners being finalized for September. Preparations are also underway to launch direct Dhaka-New York flights next year, alongside plans to add 10 leased aircraft to Biman's fleet.

Addressing regional infrastructure, the minister mentioned plans to soon operate flights through Ishwardi Airport to facilitate the transport of sensitive radioactive materials for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.