DHAKA, May 22: The tourism ministers of South Asian nations have decided to set up immigration desks for Saarc citizens at all international airports in the region. “We hope to set up separate immigration desks by September this year,” Bangladesh’s State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, said at a press briefing on Sunday after the conclusion of a two-day conference in the Bangladesh capital.

Mr Fakhr told journalists that the SAARC ministers had also agreed to simplify visa process for member countries.

The minister said SAARC the meeting decided to increase air links between the capitals of member countries as well as increase communication through roads and railways.

Other decisions taken at the meeting included increase of budgetary allocation for the tourism industry, reduced entrance fee for visiting archaeological and historical sites and steps for promoting SAARC as a common tourist destination.