The New Nation - Internet Edition

As part of efforts to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation Bangladesh and Myanmar discussed the issue of early construction of a 23-kilometre road link inside Myanmar. The cost for the construction of the road has been estimated more than $20 million. Bangladesh has reportedly offered to bear the total cost of the construction. The proposed road would establish a direct trans-border communication between the two countries.

Bangladesh and Myanmar have a 270 kilometre long common border both on land and sea. Most of the border is in the inaccessible hilly region covered with dense forests. The countries have economic and cultural bonds rooted in the past. But the hard fact is that these countries do not have any good road connection. In spite of having common maritime border, the countries did not develop any formal sea communication system. Myanmar is the second country with which Bangladesh has a common border. So, the two countries must have established good land and sea communication systems.

Construction of the proposed road would bring the two countries closer. The present volume of trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar is just US$140 million. It is due to lack of good communication that the bilateral trade did not develop to the expected level. The two countries have expressed a common intention to increase the trade volume to US$500 million. The early construction of the road would help achieve the goal of increasing trade. The last elected government had initiated the process.

It would also accelerate people to people contact and strengthen the cultural bonds. This road link with Myanmar is expected to open a gateway for Bangladesh to the East and Southeast Asian countries. Considering the importance of the proposed road, Bangladesh and Myanmar should strive for the early completion of the proposed road connection.