The task force led by U Han Zaw handed over the design to the communications minister. Myanmar envoy to Dhaka U Thane Myint was present.

The meeting at the communications ministry reviewed the progress of the link road project and financing potentials in this regard, said a press release.

The project has aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and promoting socio-economic progress by strengthening economic and trade relations in South and Southeast Asia.

The 153km friendship road from Taungbro to Kyauktaw in Myanmar through Ramu-Gundom in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh will be constructed in two phases at a cost of Tk 933.46 crore.

Initially, the Bangladesh government with its own resources will build a 20km stretch of the road from Taungbro to Bawli Bazar in Myanmar as a mark of friendship between the countries.

The estimated cost of this part of the road with two bridges and 90 culverts is about Tk 94.

Engineers and construction firms from Bangladesh will implement the first phase of the project, the meeting said.

Besides, the government will build the 23km Ramu-Gundom road in Bangladesh with its own resources at an estimated cost of Tk 69.13 crore.

In the second phase of the project, another 110km stretch of the road from Bawli Bazar to Kyautaw in Myanmar will be constructed at an estimated cost of Tk 770.26 crore.

The meeting said the government has already approached the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance the second phase. Financial assistance will also be sought from China and other donor countries, it added.

The Myanmarese task force will hold several meetings with Technical Task Force of Bangladesh to discuss the technical and financial matters of the project in the next two days.

Roads and Highways Additional Chief Engineer Md Idris Mia, chief of the Bangladesh task force, Communications Secretary Shafiqul Islam and R&H Chief Engineer Faijur Rahman attended the meet.