(BSS) - Newly-appointed Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat today vowed to accelerate implementation of reform initiatives to make the country`s aviation and tourism sectors more dynamic and significantly expand tourism.

"We believe the Prime Minister wants us to pursue these responsibilities in a more dynamic way so that we can accomplish our objectives and significantly expand the country`s tourism sector," he told journalists.

Millat made the remarks after paying homage to the Liberation War martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar, a day after he was sworn in as full minister following his elevation from state minister.

Responding to a question about his elevation, Millat said the new responsibility was both an honour and a greater responsibility, adding that the government had been working under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman`s leadership to transform the country`s aviation and tourism sectors.

He said the Prime Minister has a vision for reshaping Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the civil aviation sector and Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation as part of the government`s broader development agenda.

Millat said the latest changes in responsibilities were aimed at injecting greater dynamism into the implementation of the government`s plans for the sectors.

As the Prime Minister also chairs the National Tourism Council (NTC), the minister said he believed that the premier has specific plans to accelerate the development and expansion of the country`s tourism industry.

"All these plans are ultimately aimed at the development of Bangladesh and the welfare of its people," he said.

Millat said the Prime Minister had assigned responsibilities after considering how individual members of the government could contribute most effectively in their respective areas.

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the ministry as a full minister.

Asked about challenges facing the ministry, Millat acknowledged that considerable challenges remained but said significant groundwork had already been completed over the past six months.

"There are certainly many challenges, and we have to address them. Over the past six months, we have already made considerable progress. Now we need the necessary time to move into the implementation phase," he said.

Expressing optimism about the ministry`s future performance, Millat said, "By the grace of Allah, we believe this ministry will perform many times better than before."