Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Development of tourism sector is a must for turning Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon Sunday.

"We have to attract more foreign tourists side by side with flourishing domestic tourism for increasing earning of the sector that will help to turn Bangladesh into a middle income country by

2021," the minister said.

He was speaking at a reception in capital Dhaka.

The central employees union of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) accorded the reception to the minister at one of its commercial outlets, the Abakash Hotel at Mohakhali.

The minister said the tourism sector can play an effective role in realising the present government's pledge to create employment to each households.

The tourism industry has the potential to help the government materialise its digital Bangladesh campaign, he added.

He said his ministry will provide all out support to make the BPC a profitable organisation through imparting high skill training to its employees.

BPC chairman M Maksudul Hasan Khan spoke as the special guest when president of central employees union M Abul Hossain Mojumder was in the chair.

Unions' general secretary M Delwar Hossain also spoke, among others while BPC Manager Parvez Ahmed Chowdhury moderated the function.

BBN/SS/AD-01June14-10:00pm (BST)