Sweden interested to invest in road, transport sectors

FE Team | Published: February 27, 2013 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report A Swedish delegation has shown its interest in investing in the country's roads and transport sector. The investment areas relate to traffic security for reducing road accidents and introducing sophisticated buses in mass transportation system. The delegation, led by Swedish State Secretary for Trade Gunnar, showed the interest during a meeting with Communications Minister Obaidul Quader at the ministry conference room Tuesday. During the meeting, Road Secretary MAN Siddique highlighted the sector's potential investment areas. He said, the country would need sophisticated buses to introduce bus rapid transit in the traffic-congested capital city. He said, the government at present focuses on maintenance and upgradation of most of the highways and regional roads giving priority to reduction of accidents. The secretary also brought into focus the issue of the country's poor skill in driving the sophisticated buses including articulated ones and technical know-how in maintenance. He cited the example of in-operation of once imported Volvo from Sweden. The Communications Minister called upon the delegation to come forward with specific programmes and participate in the ministry's public-private-partnership projects. Terming Sweden as innovative country, the delegation leader said, his country can provide assistance to a number of areas including planning and budget balancing and capacity building in transportation system. He said, road infrastructure development package through efficient resource management is also another area Sweden is interested in. The first-ever trade team from Sweden arrived here on a two-day visit on Monday to explore investment opportunities in areas like bus and truck, manufacturing, tools, information technology, energy and finance. The delegation members represent Swedish export credit agency, export promotion office, civil engineering, companies like Volvo, Scania, Sandvik, SEB Atlas Copco, Exportkreditnämnden, Geodesign, Indpro and Oriflame, Raychem. Swedish Ambassador Anneli Lindahl Kenny attended the meeting. Heads of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and Corporation, Roads and Highways Department and Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority were present.