Bio Jasim Uddin Haroon Special Correspondent The Financial Express Mobile:01815252112;01575073090 Office:9553550 Email:jasimharoon@yahoo.com fecjuh@gmail.com Professional Summary: The Financial Express- 2005-Present TheBangladeshObserver-2003-2005 Education: i. BSS (hons.),MSS(Economics),University of Chittagong ii. Commonwealth Executive MBA, Open University iii. Post Graduate Diploma in Film, National Institute of Television and Film. iv. Post Graduate Diploma in Capital Market, Bangladesh Institute of Capital Market (BICM). Area of expertise: Bank, insurance, macro-economic issues, capital market, apparel sector, shipping sector, private investment, ICT, and environment. Expert in interviewing, fact checking and working on a deadline. Area of interest in journalism: i. Conflict sensitive journalism, ii. Stories within-depth investigation, and iii. Feature writing iv. Data journalism Independent researcher: Presented research papers on economic and financial issues including the SANEM in 2017. Skills: Language: Bengali & English Journalism: investigative report writing, fact-checking, working on deadlines. Guest lecturer: ULAB Awards: ERF Best Reporting Award-2018 DRU Best Reporting Award-2018 PressCouncilNationalAward-2019 Fellow: Seeds Asia, Japan; Computer: MS Word,MS Excel, SPSS & Stata14 and Eviews Hobbies: i. Travelling, ii. Swimming, iii. Gymnasium and iv. MovieReading. Mailing address: The Financial Express Tropicana Tower(4thfloor) 45, Topkhana Road Dhaka-1000. Permanent address: Moulana Abdul Hye’sBari Bepari Para, South Agrabad P.S: Doublemooring, P.O: Bandar Main Post Office Chittagong-4100. Personal details: Father’sname: Md Abdul Hoque Mother’sName: Kolema Khatoon Sex: male Religion: Islam Nationality: Bangladeshi NationalID:7782689918 Blood Group: b+ Marital status: married Spouse: Nusrat Jahan Kids: three sons

In Jasim Uddin Haroon’s article titled "Plan to Boost Rural Economy with Tea, Coffee Tourism," Bangladesh's tourism authorities explore leveraging tea and coffee tourism to drive economic growth in rural regions. Inspired by China's success under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which brought infrastructure and tourism to remote areas, Bangladeshi authorities envision similar outcomes. This tourism model, already effective in tea and coffee regions of China, Laos, and Vietnam, could foster job creation, economic uplift, and cultural preservation in Bangladesh. Abu Tahir, CEO of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, plans to introduce activities like tea tasting, coffee roasting, and nature walks to create immersive experiences for tourists in Bangladesh’s tea and coffee estates. The board aims to address the poverty prevalent in rural areas by diversifying income streams for garden owners and developing rural infrastructure. However, implementing this vision faces challenges due to restrictive land laws that limit tea estates solely to tea production. Local tea industry leaders, like Dr. Kazi Muzafar Ahammed of the Bangladesh Tea Association, call for land law reforms to permit mixed land uses and promote tourism. Currently, tea estates support nearly 500,000 people directly and indirectly, while coffee, though a relatively new industry, is growing in response to rising demand among middle-income consumers. The article highlights the economic benefits observed in China's rural tourism transformation, where government investment in infrastructure and support for agrotourism spurred visitor growth and income. Figures from China indicate the substantial economic impact, with agrotourism revenues soaring from $44 billion in 2013 to $123 billion by 2019.

The news article, "Plan to Boost Rural Economy with Tea, Coffee Tourism," provides insight into a strategic initiative aimed at revitalizing Bangladesh's rural economy through tea and coffee tourism. The article illustrates how rural infrastructure in countries like China, Laos, and Vietnam has improved under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), making rural areas attractive to tourists. This model carries significant potential to influence public perception, guide policy directions, and enhance local involvement in sustainable tourism in Bangladesh and similar economies. Communication Effect The article presents a unique tourism model centered on tea and coffee gardens, positioning these industries as cultural and economic assets, not just agricultural ones. By drawing parallels with China’s success in rural tourism, it builds credibility around the concept, suggesting a feasible path to economic growth in rural Bangladesh. This approach can heighten public awareness of agro-tourism’s potential, encouraging readers to see rural landscapes and traditional industries as untapped sources of economic and social prosperity, which could also boost rural employment and productivity. Additionally, the article features insights from key officials like Abu Tahir, CEO of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, and Dr. Kazi Muzafar Ahammed of the Bangladesh Tea Association, which adds depth and highlights institutional support. Their perspectives can boost confidence among potential investors and policymakers by indicating that, with appropriate reforms and investment, tea and coffee tourism could thrive. For example, the BRI-supported Padma Rail Project could connect southeastern Bangladesh, promoting tourism and economic growth in rural areas. Social Influence The article’s focus on rural tourism can also shift social perceptions by redefining the value of rural areas. This initiative has the potential to change public attitudes, which often regard rural areas as economically limited compared to urban centers. By underscoring the economic and social benefits, the article can foster a sense of pride and ownership in rural communities, motivating local engagement in tourism initiatives. Moreover, the piece acknowledges challenges, such as land use restrictions in tea estates, encouraging readers and stakeholders to consider reforms necessary for sustainable development. For stakeholders, including farmers, local businesses, and NGOs, the article can inspire advocacy for policy adjustments that allow more flexible land use. As Bangladesh lack adequate funds for infrastructural development, projects through BRIs can play significant role in Bangladesh. Similar to China's approach, rural tourism could lead to job creation and community revitalization. In summary, the article showcases how BRI infrastructure can enhance rural economies and support sustainable development. Through its emphasis on the benefits and challenges of rural tourism, it encourages collaborative discourse and investment in Bangladesh's rural and sustainable tourism sectors.