Dhaka: Key issues relating to culture, tourism, finance, agriculture, and food security were discussed on the second day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference 2026 held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the first session of the conference focused on cultural development initiatives. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs outlined plans to convert Barishal’s old Collectorate Building into a museum and to renovate various Rajbaris and archaeological sites across Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Narayanganj, Chapainawabganj, and Natore. Additionally, efforts to promote cultural activities in educational institutions and to construct Shilpakala Academy buildings in Netrokona, Naogaon, and Satkhira were discussed.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism presented proposals to build tourist hotels and motels in Kishoreganj, Barishal, Barguna, and Netrokona. Plans also included resuming rescue operations at Cox’s Bazar beach, designating Dahagram and Angorpota as a tourism zone with the reopening of the old airport, upgrading Saidpur Airport to an international standard, and developing tourist attractions nationwide.
The second session of the conference addressed various financial and planning sectors, including Finance, Internal Resources, Financial Institutions, Planning, Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation, and Statistics divisions. Measures under consideration included recruiting manpower before project completion, implementing social safety nets and the ninth pay scale, and introducing A-Challan in land registration. Expanding cashless transactions through Bangla QR, informing farmers about low-interest loans, reviewing project effectiveness, monitoring ADP progress, and supporting census activities were also part of the discussion.
In the third session, significant issues concerning the Fisheries, Agriculture, and Food sectors were deliberated. Discussions centered around expanding shrimp cultivation, establishing hatcheries, providing alternative employment for fishermen during hilsa conservation periods, and creating fish sanctuaries. Additional topics included promoting diversified potato use and pearl cultivation, improving agricultural productivity, and ensuring proper management and quality of food grains.