Dhaka, Oct. 18 -- A group of Japanese investors has announced an initial investment of $1.2 billion in Bangladesh's tourism sector, citing the country's potential for tourism and hospitality development.

The investors expressed their interest during a meeting at the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry at the Secretariat on Sunday afternoon, according to a ministry media statement.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said Bangladesh had diverse tourism potential, pointing to the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, Cox's Bazar, the world's longest natural sea beach, and the scenic tea gardens of Sylhet.

"The current government warmly welcomes foreign investment to develop the tourism sector," he said....