bdnews24.com :
New Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal has held his hope high that flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines will turn into a profitable organisation.
The lawmaker from Lakshmipur said he would turn fire into water referring to comments like “being assigned for civil aviation is like being thrown into fire”. Kamal received his portfolio as the new Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister in a
major cabinet reshuffle. He replaced Rashed Khan Menon, also president of the Workers’ Party of Bangladesh, who headed the ministry for four years. While handing over the post at the Secretariat on Thursday, Menon warned Kamal that the problems of state-run Bangladesh Biman could eclipse any potential achievements. After finishing the formalities, Kamal told reporters that his daughter tied the knot with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed’s son. Tofail refused to accept the prime minister’s offer to take over the Civil Aviation Ministry three days ago, according to Kamal.
“He met me at my place on Wednesday and said words of encouragement,” he said.
With a wide grin, the newly appointed minister said: “Many are saying I have been thrown into fire. But, this is like water for me. The water we drink to survive. I am optimistic. I seek your cooperation.”
The first hit the flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines took under Menon’s stewardship was in March 2016, when the UK stopped all direct cargo flights from the Dhaka airport citing security issues.
According to Biman’s chairman, the bar on cargo has deeply dented the airlines’ profits.
In November the same year, the Biman aircraft carrying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her entourage to Budapest was forced to make an emergency landing in the Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat.
The incident sent ripples across the country with calls for Menon to resign for failing to ensure security for the prime minister. “I am aware of the criticisms targeting Biman but I will quell them all,” Kamal said while speaking to reporters on Thursday. Asked what measures were needed to turn the state carrier profitable, the minister said: “It is not a difficult task. I have worked with the Founder of the Nation. Now I am working with his daughter.
“With a new strategy, hard work and dedication, I will turn Biman into a profitable outfit in nine months. It may emerge as a profitable outfit in Asia.” He spoke high of left-leaning politician Menon who was transferred to the social welfare ministry on Wednesday. “He systematically headed this ministry for four years. I took lessons from his speeches,” said Kamal. “He is like my brother and a progressive leader. He never did politics for money. I have known him since my college days.”
New Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal has held his hope high that flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines will turn into a profitable organisation.
The lawmaker from Lakshmipur said he would turn fire into water referring to comments like “being assigned for civil aviation is like being thrown into fire”. Kamal received his portfolio as the new Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister in a
major cabinet reshuffle. He replaced Rashed Khan Menon, also president of the Workers’ Party of Bangladesh, who headed the ministry for four years. While handing over the post at the Secretariat on Thursday, Menon warned Kamal that the problems of state-run Bangladesh Biman could eclipse any potential achievements. After finishing the formalities, Kamal told reporters that his daughter tied the knot with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed’s son. Tofail refused to accept the prime minister’s offer to take over the Civil Aviation Ministry three days ago, according to Kamal.
“He met me at my place on Wednesday and said words of encouragement,” he said.
With a wide grin, the newly appointed minister said: “Many are saying I have been thrown into fire. But, this is like water for me. The water we drink to survive. I am optimistic. I seek your cooperation.”
The first hit the flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines took under Menon’s stewardship was in March 2016, when the UK stopped all direct cargo flights from the Dhaka airport citing security issues.
According to Biman’s chairman, the bar on cargo has deeply dented the airlines’ profits.
In November the same year, the Biman aircraft carrying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her entourage to Budapest was forced to make an emergency landing in the Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat.
The incident sent ripples across the country with calls for Menon to resign for failing to ensure security for the prime minister. “I am aware of the criticisms targeting Biman but I will quell them all,” Kamal said while speaking to reporters on Thursday. Asked what measures were needed to turn the state carrier profitable, the minister said: “It is not a difficult task. I have worked with the Founder of the Nation. Now I am working with his daughter.
“With a new strategy, hard work and dedication, I will turn Biman into a profitable outfit in nine months. It may emerge as a profitable outfit in Asia.” He spoke high of left-leaning politician Menon who was transferred to the social welfare ministry on Wednesday. “He systematically headed this ministry for four years. I took lessons from his speeches,” said Kamal. “He is like my brother and a progressive leader. He never did politics for money. I have known him since my college days.”
