"To construct a direct road link between the two countries, a draft agreement has been initialed during my recent three-day visit to Myanmar and we will sign the agreement formally soon.

As a result direct road link between Myanmar and Bangladesh would be established that would boost trade, commerce and tourism between the two countries and beyond their frontiers," Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told reporters at a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry on Monday.

He said that under the deal a 25-kilometere road from Gundhum in Cox's Bazaar to Baulibazar in Myanmar will be constructed for direct road connection between the two countries. The construction work for the proposed road link would take one year and it would be completed in three years at an estimated cost of US$ 20.20 million.

"Through establishing direct road link, Bangladesh will be able to connect with the Asian Highway. Besides, Myanmar agreed to hold a tripartite meeting and prepare a survey report with a view to establishing road link between Bangladesh, Myanmar and China," the Foreign Adviser said adding we have agreed to set up a Joint Commission Besides, an expert level meeting decided how to take lease of
Myanmar lands for commercial cultivation by the Bangladesh business firms.

Referring to the Rohingya refugees, he said the two countries would start work together to solve this issue.

"Dhaka wants that all the remaining Rohingya refugees return to their homeland," Iftekhar said
He said, "We also discussed the possibility of including pharmaceutical products, rice and cattle in the border trade agreement. If such items could be included smuggling would be greatly reduced."

 

@ The Bangladesh Journal