DHAKA, 28 July 2007 — Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a deal yesterday to build the first road between the two countries in an effort to boost trade and tourism.
Construction of the 25-km road connecting Bangladesh’s Maricha area to Bawlibazar in Myanmar will begin later this year, officials said.
Most of the road will be inside Myanmar with only 2 kilometers in Bangladesh. Dhaka will meet the estimated $21.75 million cost for constructing the road, expected to be completed in three years, they said.
“We hope to continue our project to connect the Asian highway to go up to China, Thailand and India,” Myanmar’s Minister for Construction Maj. Gen. Saw Tun, told reporters in Dhaka.
The proposed “Friendship Road” will connect Kunming province of China. “This is going to be a milestone in our bilateral relations,” Communications Adviser retired Maj. Gen. M.A. Matin said after the signing of the agreement.
Asked about the tri-nation road connectivity involving Bangladesh, Myanmar and China, the Myanmar minister said it would depend on the future negotiation with Chinese government.
Matin, however, said Bangladesh has already discussed the matter with the Chinese authorities and got positive response.
