To this effect, an Exchange of Notes was signed here yesterday between the two governments. Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Masayuki Inoue and Economic Relations Division Secretary M Ismail Zabihullah signed the agreement on behalf of the respective sides.

At the signing ceremony, the Ambassador said the grant would greatly contribute in improving transportation network in the rural areas, which is one of the high priorities in reducing poverty in Bangladesh.

Under the Exchange of Notes, 30 dilapidated bridges will be renovated to improve communication networks in the rural areas of 14 districts.

Moreover, portable steel bridges will be installed at the crucial locations of major rural roads of the districts where existing water channels are critically impeding the road traffic of goods and people.

It is expected that the project would contribute greatly to the continued vitalisation of the rural economies in Bangladesh. Local Government Engineering Department will implement the scheme.

Since 1994, Japan government has supplied 266 portable steel bridges to both Roads and Highways Department and the LGED.