Bangladesh to join Asian Highway

---

Bangladesh is going to be connected with the Asian Highway that will help the country open its windows directly to countries in Asia and also other parts of the world, reports BSS.
This was disclosed by Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain while talking to reporters after emerging from a meeting on Bangladesh's joining the Asian Highway, held at the ministry's conference room Thursday. "A decision to this effect was taken at the meeting," he said.
Senior officials of the concerned ministries including Communications Secretary ASM Ali Kabir and Defence Secretary Quamrul Hasan were present at the meeting.
The minister said the decision of BNP-Jamaat alliance government not to join the Asian Highway was a `big mistake,' which had caused immense losses to Bangladesh. "It is profitable for Bangladesh to join this very strategic trans-national road link," he observed.
Syed Abul Hossain said Bangladesh can join this highway through three separate routes: Benapole-Jessore-Dhaka-Kanchpur-Sylhet-Tamabeel or Banglabandha-Hathikamrul-Dhaka-Kanchpur-Sylhet-Tamabeel or Dhaka-Kanchpur-Sylhet-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar- Teknaf-Myanmar.
"The route would be finalised in the cabinet meeting," he said.
By joining the Asian Highway, the minister said, Bangladesh could develop its road links with not only the Asian countries but also with other parts of the world.
Besides, he said, we could develop our land trades, minimise carrying costs of our export items, expand tourism industry and build friendly relations with different nations by joining the Asian Highway.