Dhaka, Nov 19 (BDNEWS) - Newly appointed State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Saturday said he is ready to face the challenges of the national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
In a exclusive interview with BDNEWS, he admitted that the Biman is facing a crisis over running hajj flights and said it would be solved through discussions with all concerned.
A large number of leaders and workers of different tiers of ruling BNP and its student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal thronged the residence of Alamgir with bouquet of flowers to greet him.
Fakhrul Islam's appointment followed resignation by Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin from the position Thursday over the hajj flight crisis. Alamgir was earlier the state minister for agriculture.
The new state minister for civil aviation said his new responsibility is more challenging than the earlier one, voicing his optimism about facing the challenge successfully.
"I am optimistic that I will be able to solve the existing problems through discussions with all concerned."
Asked if he would opt for reforms in the national flag carrier, now crippled by many problems, Alamgir said he would sit with the Ministry officials and Biman authorities Sunday separately to identify the problems and chalk out programmes to address those.
"My first priority would be to identify the burning problems and take immediate steps to solve those. However, nothing can be solved overnight. But, I have the sincerity and I know if all of us try, a good number of problems can be solved," he said, adding united efforts by all concerned can bring about a positive change.
BDNEWS/1327 hrs.
