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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) organized a seminar on 12 December 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh to present findings of the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for the envisaged Southwest Bangladesh Economic Corridor (SWBEC).

Key findings of the CDP highlight that

• Developing the SWBEC will enable the region’s industrial output to reach $148 billion by 2050;
• Employment in the southwest region will increase to 35 million within the same period, with 25 million new jobs to be generated from corridor-induced activities; and
• Investments in key transformational infrastructure of $140 billion in the next 30 years will have to be realized. This will cover multi-modal transport connectivity, urban, power, logistics and gateways to attract centers of production and consumption and facilitate greater access to markets.

Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Finance Minister, Bangladesh, and ADB Governor, joined as chief guest at the seminar. In his remarks, he emphasized the need to continue focusing on poverty reduction, and underscored how the proposed economic corridor will not only boost connectivity in the country’s southwest region, but also help forge connectivity with some neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and the northeast region of India.

A total of 148 participants, including representatives from various government agencies, private sector, academia, and the media joined the seminar.