Flagship deal to revive lost link with Myanmar
Sunday, 29 July 2007
The signing of an agreement on the construction of Bangladesh-Myanmar Friendship Road Link Friday marks the beginning of a new era in Bangladesh-Myanmar economic relations. This is actually the restoration of the old road, which once linked Chittagong with Akiyab, reports bdnews24.com.
Although it does not go to Akiyab any more, the old habits die hard. The people of the area still call it Arakan road.
The construction of this road link will help re-establish the old land surface link between Gumdum on Bangladesh side and Tumbro on Myanmar side.
The present volume of trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar is considered quite insignificant compared to the huge potential it offers. With an area of 676,577 square kilometres, Myanmar is five times the size of Bangladesh.
The coastline is 2,832 kilometres and 4.58 times of Bangladesh. Its population is 47 million, less than 40 per cent of Bangladesh with density of 70 persons per square kilometre, compared to 861 of Bangladesh, and as such, per capita share of land is 12.3 times greater in Myanmar than in Bangladesh.
However, Myanmar's own geography adds a different angle to the prospect of bilateral business relations between the two countries The Arakan Mountain range separates Rakhine and Chin states bordering Bangladesh from the rest of Myanmar. These two states are endowed with rich natural resources including limestone, timber, bamboo, marine products and a variety of minerals.
Besides millions of tonnes of limestone deposits in the Rakhine State, there is a single patch of bamboo forestry stretching over 7,000 square kilometres producing 2.2 million tonnes of single species of bamboo, equivalent to 8,00,000 metric tonnes of pulp that can feed up to 25 paper mills the size of Karnaphuli Paper Mills.
Recent discovery of 16 TCF of proven gas reserves in the Rakhine has opened up new possibilities.
Because of the geographical proximity, Bangladeshi businessmen could be the logical, ideal partners of Myanmar when it comes to harnessing these resources in Rakhine and Chin states to the mutual benefits of both. We can set up import substitution industry as well as export-oriented industries under joint venture. We can also establish Special Economic Zones on both sides of the border for the purpose.
Myanmar's liberal policy on leasing out land for agro-based industries is indeed tempting. On a commercial basis, up to 5,000 acres of cultivable, fallow or wasteland is available for plantation crops, 3,000 acres for orchard and 1,000 acres for seasonal crops.
Although it does not go to Akiyab any more, the old habits die hard. The people of the area still call it Arakan road.
The construction of this road link will help re-establish the old land surface link between Gumdum on Bangladesh side and Tumbro on Myanmar side.
The present volume of trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar is considered quite insignificant compared to the huge potential it offers. With an area of 676,577 square kilometres, Myanmar is five times the size of Bangladesh.
The coastline is 2,832 kilometres and 4.58 times of Bangladesh. Its population is 47 million, less than 40 per cent of Bangladesh with density of 70 persons per square kilometre, compared to 861 of Bangladesh, and as such, per capita share of land is 12.3 times greater in Myanmar than in Bangladesh.
However, Myanmar's own geography adds a different angle to the prospect of bilateral business relations between the two countries The Arakan Mountain range separates Rakhine and Chin states bordering Bangladesh from the rest of Myanmar. These two states are endowed with rich natural resources including limestone, timber, bamboo, marine products and a variety of minerals.
Besides millions of tonnes of limestone deposits in the Rakhine State, there is a single patch of bamboo forestry stretching over 7,000 square kilometres producing 2.2 million tonnes of single species of bamboo, equivalent to 8,00,000 metric tonnes of pulp that can feed up to 25 paper mills the size of Karnaphuli Paper Mills.
Recent discovery of 16 TCF of proven gas reserves in the Rakhine has opened up new possibilities.
Because of the geographical proximity, Bangladeshi businessmen could be the logical, ideal partners of Myanmar when it comes to harnessing these resources in Rakhine and Chin states to the mutual benefits of both. We can set up import substitution industry as well as export-oriented industries under joint venture. We can also establish Special Economic Zones on both sides of the border for the purpose.
Myanmar's liberal policy on leasing out land for agro-based industries is indeed tempting. On a commercial basis, up to 5,000 acres of cultivable, fallow or wasteland is available for plantation crops, 3,000 acres for orchard and 1,000 acres for seasonal crops.