Kuakata: Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith on Saturday said that Bangladesh would attain 8.0 percent GDP growth in two years.

"The economy already attained over 7.0 percent growth, marking a golden era for the country," the finance minister said, noting that Bangladesh had already established its image as a country where people are busy doing their jobs amid political stability.

The minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the three-day "Kuakata Mega Beach Carnival 2017" here this afternoon. Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), for the first time, organised such an event at the South-eastern region's sandy beach to promote it among tourists at home and abroad. 

Explaining that 8.0 percent growth would ensure horizontal development across the country, Muhith said, "We want to move ahead with all the people of the country." 

He said disparity between the poor and the rich is also diminishing rapidly, placing Bangladesh among the fast moving countries in fighting poverty.

The minister while addressing the gala event also cited the significant progress that the country made in the recent years in major areas, including the foodgrain production, manufacturing and foreign trade. 

About the prospect of tourism in the country, especially in Kuakata, the finance minister said the government had developed a master plan for promoting Kuakata as a beautiful and unexplored tourist attraction. 

"The government is committed to developing Kuakata as Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has discovered the potential of the beach as a major tourist destination," he said.

The minister said the people in Kuakata as well as the tourists here would soon have the country's largest sea port alongside a beautiful beach.