DHAKA: Only Tk 160 crore allocation has been proposed in the budget for the fiscal year 2014-15 for Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry for developing country’s aviation system and tourism industry.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith made the proposal while placing the budget for the new financial year before the parliament on Thursday afternoon.

The proposed budget is Tk 125 crore less than Tk 285 crore revised budget of 2013-14 fiscal year.

Of the total amount, Tk 109 crore will be spent under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and Tk 51 crore under non-development sector.

In order to improve passenger service, the minister said two Boeing 777-300 aircraft have been procured while procurement of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft is underway.

Hopefully, another four Boeing 787-800 aircraft will be added to the Biman fleet by 2019, he added.

The minister said, “We are taking necessary steps to improve and renovate tourism facilities of different areas of the country.”

The present government has taken steps to develop exclusive tourist zones under the Public Private Partnership initiative, he added.

BDST: 1825 HRS, JUN 05, 2014