BCIM-EC can change lots of millions: President

President Abdul Hamid has said that China, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar-Economic Corridor (BCIM-EC) has the potential to open up opportunities for social and economic progress for millions of poor and marginal communities and ethnicities. ‘Physical linkages connect territories and communities. In the case of BCIM-EC, it has the potential to open up opportunities for social and economic progress for millions of poor and marginal communities and ethnicities,’ he said while addressing the ‘Dialogue on Strengthening Connectivity Partnership’ at Fang Hua Hall in Beijing on Saturday evening. For China, BCIM-EC will help revive the ancient southern silk road, President Hamid said, adding that for other countries, the BCIM-EC connectivity would unlock fragile eco-system, offer improved livelihood options and create pathways for sustainable development of an impoverished economic landscape. ‘In the recent times, we also see Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar working together at Track One level to shape up the BCIM-EC process,’ he said. Advocating for bottom-up view to development, the President said in order to make physical connectivity truly beneficial and sustainable, there has to be accompanying visible and sustained improvement in the lives and livelihoods of majority at the bottom. ‘Bangladesh would stress that our collective efforts and investments in development of connectivity should be tailored and routed as such, he added, according to a news agency.