Since the present government took over responsibilities, the organizations under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs namely Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Directorate of Public Library, Department of Archaeology, Directorate of Archives & Libraries, National Book Centre, Nazrul Institute, Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation, Copyright Office, Cox's Bazar Cultural Centre and Rangamati, Bandarban and Birisiri Tribal Cultural Institutes have been making untiring efforts for the promotion of cultural activities across the country to keep pace with the ongoing cultural developments of the world.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has been working to preserve and foster the arts, literature, culture, tradition and heritage of the country. The activities of the organizations under this ministry during the last three years have been summarized below.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs conducts its activities on two fronts. On one front it endeavors to enhance and strengthen the cultural ties and promotion works with all the friendly countries. This is basically done through cultural exchange agreements and sending cultural delegations to different countries. During the last three years 6 cultural exchange programmes with different countries have been concluded. The countries are Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Korea, Republic of Indonesia, Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Islamic Republic of Iran. One cultural agreement between Bangladesh and the union of Myanmar has been signed in December 2002.

Those agreements have not only strengthened our relations with above-mentioned countries but also have enabled to uplift the image of Bangladesh abroad. Furthermore under those agreements many distinguished internationally reputed scholars, educationists and cultural personalities have visited each other's countries thereby contributing to the development of socio cultural life of each other. During this period 17 cultural teams from Bangladesh have visited different countries and 3 cultural teams from abroad have visited Bangladesh. The 2^nd SAARC Cultural Festival was held in Dhaka from 30^th March to 2^nd April 2004. Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the Festival.

On the home front the main aims and objectives of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs are to preserve the traditional art, culture and music as well as to promote the literary activities and conserving cultural heritage of the country. All these activities are carried out by the Ministry in co-operation and direct assistance from the 14 organizations under its umbrella.

A new dimension has been added to the cultural life of Bangladesh by adopting vigorous measures in promoting publication and book reading habits within the country. Honourable former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia declared 2002 as the "Year of Book", 2003 as the "Year of Library", 2004 as the "Year of Child Literature", 2005 as the "Year of Science Books" and 2006 as the "Year of Technology Books". A countrywide campaign to increase the habit of reading books is now going on in this connection.

Of the cultural activities pursued by the Ministry, the Biennale Asian Art Exhibition stands out one of the most prestigious. The 11^th Biennale Asian Art Exhibition was held in January this year in co-ordination with the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The Shilpakala Academy itself  has carried out numbers of activities promoting Fine Arts and Music. It has carried out Mobile Art Exhibitions in 47 districts out of 64 and has awarded ten renowned musicians for their outstanding contribution towards music. As a part of promoting our Folk Art, specially traditional art, many Musical and Dance programmes were held. A video of Zari Gaan (Traditional Folk Songs) has been sent to the UNESCO Head Quarter for the exposure of our cultural heritage throughout the world. The Academy took special efforts to promote one of our greatest folk artists Lalon Shah by undertaking a project to construct our National Art Gallery and National Theatre. It has also taken measures to train young persons on performing Art, Theatre, Fine Arts, Dance and Music.

Bangla Academy stands as the National Conscience and acts as the principal forum of cultivation of Bangla literature. It is also the leading publishing house of research works in the country. 140 titles have been published during the last three years. Among these, 56 are Text Books of higher education and 84 are books on Bengali Language and Literature. The Academy has also celebrated the Golden Jubilee in 2002 of the Martyrs Day on the 21^st February and the International Mother Language Day. In this connection the Academy has brought out a special publication. It has also paid homage to two of the greatest social reformers and writers of the country by establishing "Begum Rokeya" and "Mir Mosarraf Hossain" Memorial Centres.

Turning to Bangladesh National Museum, it does not require emphasizing that it devotes primarily to the preservation and conservation of our history and heritage. It carries out its activities through developing the old Museums and founding new ones. In this connection a new project for maintenance and renovation of Shahid (Martyr) President Zia Memorial Museum at Chittagong has been completed. A separate corner has also been set up in Bangladesh National Museum in memory of President Zia. Besides it held several special exhibitions of important relics, photographs, books and journals on important National Days. It has also undertaken vigorous efforts to develop and modernize Zainal Abedin Art Museum and Regional Museum at Mymensingh.

The National Book Centre and the Public Library held various Book Fairs, Seminars and Workshops to implement the Honourable Prime Ministers' Programme on Book and Library promotions as well as developing Publication Industry.

The Nazrul Institute is entrusted with upholding the memory and image of our National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and conducting research on his life, literature and music. The birth anniversary of the National Poet has been celebrated with great enthusiasm and splendor attended by the Honourable President of the Republic and the Honourable former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Likewise the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the organizations under it also celebrated the birth anniversary of the Noble Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore with great honor and enthusiasm.

The Directorate of Archaeology has carried out extensive excavation works on the old and new sites. Recently an International Seminar on Paharpur, the world heritage site was held in co-operation with UNESCO where many foreign archaeologists and scholars participated. The most ambitous light and sound project at Lalbag fort introducing the Mughal History of Bangladesh has been undertaken.

A mini-Bangladesh Project giving the tourists proper impression about the geographical and environmental traditions of Bangladesh has been undertaken by the Sonargaon Folk Arts and Crafts Foundation. The Foundation also holds its month long fair of folk arts and crafts every year.

The Directorate of Archives and Libraries have done the most creditable job by collecting vast amount of historically important documents, manuscripts and rare books lying scattered in government and semi-government organizations throughout the country. It has also undertaken the latest technological help in permanent preservation of the most rare historical documents through computerization. Besides it has opened a new corner for the children in its library. It has also completed the construction of the National Archives Building (First Phase).

Copyright and related right activities in Bangladesh are being governed by the Copyright Office. The present government has been paying special attention to the development of copyright situation in the country. The Copyright Office protects the interest of the authors and the owners of creative works. The amendment of copyright law 2000 is at its final stage.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has given a special care and attention to the cultural promotion of the periphery areas and ethnic minorities. The Cultural Centre at Cox's Bazar and the Tribal Cultural Institute at Bandarban, Rangamati and Birisiri have been completed fulfilling the demand of the local people for a long time.

In conclusion it may be said that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs while fulfilling the programmes of the government has successfully attended its commitments to the cultural promotion of the nation.