BD, Myanmar fail to sign deal on road

Published September 29, 2005

DHAKA, Sept 28: Bangladesh and Myanmar have failed to sign a deal for building a ‘Friendship Road’ as the two sides needed more consultations on the project.

The next round of negotiations would be held in Dhaka in November, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin told reporters on Wednesday.

A delegation of Bangladesh, headed by the Commerce Secretary, Shafiqul Islam, went to Yangon last week to sign the accord on the direct road link.

The officials in Dhaka hinted that there might have been some small disagreements over the use of the first 23 kilometres of the road to be constructed with the finance from the Bangladesh government.

As per an earlier agreement, Dhaka will finance the construction of the 23 kilometres of the road from Taungbro to Bawlibazar while Myanmar government ensures land for the trans-border road.

Myanmar will also waive taxes for all construction equipment and supplies. Under a comprehensive deal, they will allow Bangladeshi vehicles to use the road free of taxes and levies.

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