Proposal for a new road to Myanmar is likely to be placed for approval in the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday.
The TK 540 million project is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations specially trade with
Myanmar.
The ECNEC is Bangladesh’s highest authority for approving development projects.
The proposed road will pass through Balukhali in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhia Upazila and Ghumdhum in Naikkhanchharhi Upazila of Bandarban district.
“The proposed road project has been cleared by the pre-evaluation committee (PEC) of the Planning Commission on 26 April. Now it will have to be sent to ECNEC for final approval,” said Arastoo Khan, member of the Physical Infrastructure Committee of the Planning Commission.
Khan told bdnews24.com that the road is targeted for completion by June 2017.
The foreign secretaries of Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) signed an agreement on 19 Dec last year to explore possibilities for creating an ‘BCIM economic corridor’.
“The project for constructing this new road to Myanmar was finalised after that,” Khan said.
The project proposal to be placed before ECNEC justifies the construction of this new road as part of Bangladesh’s effort to not only develop bilateral trade with Myanmar but also develop road connectivity to China and other nations of South-east Asia like Thailand.
“That will help develop not only trade but also cultural and social relations.”
It says that the road will also help strengthen sub-regional relations between remote border regions of Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Source: Bd news24
