Bangladeshi workers eye Malaysiya as authorities lifts embargo

Dhaka, July 30 (UNI) Some 1,00,000 Bangladeshi workers will go to Malaysia by the year end as the Malaysian authorities withdrew an embargo, which is seen as a major breakthrough in manpower exports from Bangladesh.

''In another development, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar agreed to construct a highway from Kunming to Chittagong through Mandaley for long-haul cross-border road communications,'' Bangladesh Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan told newsmen here today.

Mr Khan, while talking to his counterparts from Malaysia, China, Myanmar and South Korea on the sidelines of the 13th ARF meet in Kuala Lumpur, said Malaysia would meet 50 per cent requirement of its workers from Bangladesh.

In all, 2,00,000 to 3,00,000 foreign workers would be employed in Malaysia in phases.

He said both the governments would ensure that some vested quarters do not cause any misery to these workers on promises of jobs.

Mr Khan said he had meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win to discuss the road connectivity.

He said although Myanmar had some reservations in the past, now they agreed to the tri-nation road connectivity.

''If this road could be built, trade and economic cooperation would increase manifold among the three countries,'' said the Foreign Minister.

He noted the officials of the three countries would meet soon to discuss and shape up the project.

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