DHAKA, July 9: Bangladesh and Thailand have agreed to jointly approach Myanmar for the construction of a highway linking Dhaka with Bangkok via Myanmar as part of the Asian Highway project.

This was decided here on Tuesday at talks between the two countries.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Khalida Zia and her Thai counterpart Thaksin Shinawatra led their respective delegations at the talks.

Briefing the newsmen, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury described the meeting as “very productive”. He said that while the road link proposal was the main issue, a MOU on accounts trading system and an agreement to establish a joint business council between the two countries was also signed.

The meeting also discussed the signing of a new air agreement to establish direct air link between the Bangladesh port city of Chittagong and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.

On the proposed Asian Highway to Thailand via Myanmar from Bangladesh, it was pointed out that Yangoon has agreed in principle at the proposal and will have no objection if funds were made available to them.

Thai prime minister informed the meeting that his government would request the Asian Development Bank to divert part of the funds allocated to Thailand for the development of infrastructure to Myanmar.

The proposal will be discussed at a meeting with the representatives of all the three countries at a later date.