The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a $404 million loan to upgrade highway infrastructure in Bangladesh.
The funding will be used to upgrade the national highway N2 between Sylhet and the Tamabil border crossing, improving Bangladesh’s intercity travel and cross-border connectivity.
The Sylhet-Tamabil road is part of the 177-mile Dhaka-Narsingdi-Sylhet-Tamabil National Highway corridor, which helps connect seven northeastern states of India, as well as Bhutan, Myanmar and China.
AIIB said the capital infusion will go toward the construction, operation and maintenance of roads, in addition to institutional and project management support. It is expected to improve overall commuter safety and reduce travel times.
“As the first stand-alone transport project supported by AIIB in Bangladesh, the project will allow the bank to gain experience in cross-border connectivity in South Asia,” said D.J. Pandian, vice president of investme
