Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy to the Chief Adviser on International Affairs, has said that his office does not engage in “courtesy calls” with businesspeople, stressing that interactions with trade bodies and associations are meant for substantive discussions, not mere formalities.
“We are in touch with all chambers of commerce and business associations. Anyone can meet us—everyone has my WhatsApp number,” Siddiqi said. “But what we don’t do are courtesy calls.”
“In our context, that usually means presenting a flower bouquet, taking a photo, and leaving. We don’t do that,” he added.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) on Thursday at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
His remarks came two days after Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan expressed deep frustration over not being granted an appointment with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for the past four months, despite repeated requests to discuss the challenges facing the country’s apparel sector.
“To negotiate with someone, you have to sit with them. If he doesn’t give us time, how can we negotiate? We have been seeking an appointment with the chief adviser for the last four months but haven’t received one,” said the BGMEA president at a press conference on Tuesday.
However, Siddiqi said on Thursday that there are not interested in personal meetings with the businessmen.
In his speech, Siddiqi also highlighted the activities of the Inter-Ministerial Investment Coordination Committee, which includes the Bangladesh Bank Governor, the NBR Chairman, the heads of major ports, and the Executive Chairman of BIDA.
“We try to resolve issues discussed in the committee meetings immediately,” he said. “If a policy change is required, we move it forward from those meetings as well.”
Reflecting on his office’s performance, Siddiqi noted: “If you look at our track record, we’ve made tangible progress in several areas through seven to eight meetings over the past year. Whenever someone faces a problem, we try to respond responsibly and promptly.”
Discussing the potential of Bangladesh’s tourism sector, Siddiqi said tourism remains one of the country’s largest job-creating industries. “While many sectors are being transformed by technology and artificial intelligence, tourism continues to rely on human service,” he said. “Even countries like Singapore, without rich natural heritage, attract millions of tourists. We should reflect on how to do the same.”
Speaking as a special guest, Saima Shahin Sultana, chairperson of the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, said Bangladesh is strategically located at the crossroads of South Asia and holds diverse tourism potential—from natural beauty and heritage to ethnic culture, cuisine, and folk traditions.
“Bangladesh can emerge as a leading destination in South Asia,” she said, “but we have yet to fully harness these opportunities,” she noted.
In his closing remarks, TOAB President Md Rafeuzzaman called for introducing an e-visa system to boost foreign tourist arrivals and urged the government to reduce taxes on amusement parks, hotels, resorts, vehicles, and other tourism-related equipment to further promote the industry.
Other speakers included Md Shafiqul Rahman, managing director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines; Nuzhat Yasmin, CEO of Bangladesh Tourism Board; Additional IGP Md Mainul Hasan of Tourist Police; and Joint Secretary Naila Ahmed of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.