DHAKA: The proposed Chittagong-Cox’sbazar-Myanmar-Kunming highway for trans-border communications with China is going to be constructed soon, now that all the three countries are agreed on the scheme.

Starting construction of the 150-kilometre-long highway is now a matter of time, according to an official disclosure made in Dhaka Tuesday following a successful negotiation between the governments of China and Myanmar.

Dr. Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Environment and Forests, apprised journalists of the progress at his office in the secretariat.

He made the observations following a meeting with Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Zhang Xianyi. The envoy met the state minister to discuss the position of China on the long-awaited highway linking the three countries.

The state minister told the journalists that recently China persuaded the Myanmar government into agreeing on the project that has been gathering dust for over a decade now.

“Construction of the highway will begin very soon,” said Hasan Mahmud.

The government of China also has given its nod to a request for assisting Bangladesh in building a deep-sea port on Sonadia Island in the Bay of Bengal, the minister informed.

Besides, he added, the Chinese government has agreed to provide Bangladesh with assistance of all efforts in tackling the adverse effects of climate change.   
 
BDST: 1630 HRS, SEP 14, 2010