Dhaka, March 9 -- The government has decided to strengthen cultural diplomacy as an important tool of soft power to enhance people-to-people contacts, promote the Bangladesh brand, and improve the country's image abroad through cultural exchange programmes and holding cultural festivals overseas.

A meeting was held on Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss ways to promote Bangladesh's cultural diplomacy worldwide.

The meeting was attended by Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam.

The Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and other senior officials from both ministri...