DHAKA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government plans to substantially increase public investment across key sectors such as road, rail, bridge, shipping, civil aviation, and telecommunications, aiming to transform Bangladesh into an upper middle-income country by 2031 and a smart, developed country by 2041.

According to the Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26), the government plans to allocate 963.9 billion taka (8.79 billion U.S. dollars) in fiscal year 2024-25 (FY 25), escalating to 1.06 trillion taka in FY 26, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported Monday.

This increase follows an investment of 876.3 billion taka for the current fiscal year, emphasizing a significant boost in funding for various development programs.

The policy document highlights the critical role of an integrated and cost-effective transport and communication system in fostering economic growth, enhancing trade, and ensuring social integration.

It notes an efficient transport and logistics system is essential to a smooth supply chain management, and an effective competition on a global scale.

Specifically, the government's Road Transport and Highways Division is implementing projects to establish an advanced and sustainable road transport system, including the construction of multi-lane highways, elevated expressways, and new bridges.

These efforts are complemented by plans to widen 1,100 km of highways, repair and maintain 1,250 km highways, and rebuild 450 km of highways with 7,300 meters of bridges and culverts.

In Dhaka city, the government is focusing on reducing traffic congestion by advancing metro rail lines, a move poised to significantly improve urban mobility.

The railway sector is also undergoing transformation under a 30-year master plan aimed at making it a dependable, affordable, modern, and people-friendly mode of transport. By FY 26, the government aims to construct 275 km of new railway track and reconstruct 210 km of existing lines.

The document also outlines ambitious plans for the water transport system, underlining its importance in the integrated multi-modal transport framework.

Amid rising demand for air travel, both domestically and internationally, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is undertaking projects to expand passenger handling capacities and enhance facilities at airports. These upgrades are part of a broader strategy to position Bangladesh as a regional hub for international passenger transport. (1 U.S. dollar equals to about 110 taka) Enditem

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