Dhaka, Sept 3 (V7N) – Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today said the government is giving top priority to developing safe, improved and sustainable communication infrastructure to accelerate the country's economic progress and overall development, while also expanding regional and international connectivity .
The minister made the remarks when a delegation led by Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Chairman Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser paid a courtesy call on him at his Secretariat office . "Bangladesh has enormous potential in the communications sector and planned and coordinated infrastructure development is essential to harness this potential," he said .
Both sides expressed optimism about further strengthening mutual cooperation in developing the road, railway and water transport sectors . Shaikh Rabiul Alam said that alongside new projects to meet the growing needs of the people, importance must also be given to modern management and proper maintenance of existing infrastructure .
"Development of the communication system is not merely about making travel easier; it is directly linked to the country's economic growth, industrialization, investment, expansion of trade and employment generation," he said . The minister stressed the need to ensure the use of new and modern technologies in the transport and communication system .
He noted that the Islamic Development Bank's financing, extensive experience and technical assistance could play an important role in the development of the country's communications and infrastructure sectors, adding that the country had a longstanding relationship with the bank built on mutual trust and cooperation .
IsDB Group Chairman Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser praised Bangladesh's development progress and recent achievements in the infrastructure sector, saying Bangladesh's economic prospects are "extremely bright" and that efficient, modern and effective communication infrastructure could play a vital role in capitalizing on the country's strategic location and growing economic capacity .
The IsDB chairman said the bank wanted to remain a reliable development partner, adding that there is "considerable scope for cooperation in the coordinated and sustainable development of the road, railway and water transport sectors" .
Both sides agreed to enhance mutual cooperation and expressed commitment to working more closely on financing and technical assistance for potential development projects in the road, railway and water transport sectors, hoping that the existing partnership would become stronger and expand further in the future .
Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque, along with senior officials from the concerned ministries and divisions, was present at the meeting .
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