BENAPOLE: Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni said the agreed one-billion-dollar credit from India would help bring a significant change in the communications sector of Bangladesh and redefine country’s relations with its neighbours.

“It is part of government effort to extend communications, trade and investment between the two countries,” she said to journalists after visiting Banapole land port, Bangladesh’s biggest cross-border land route to India.

She also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always wants to maintain a cordial relationship with the neighbouring country “to keep the region safe and peaceful”.

Now that the land route is to take a greater load of traffic following transit haulage, the foreign minister said the government would continue its cordial efforts to develop the land port.

Deputy Commissioner Nurul Amin, Police Super Didar Ahmed, Benapole Customs Commissioner Dr Abdul Mannan Sikder and local Awami League leaders were among others present at the time.

Dhaka and New Delhi on August 7 signed the loan agreement in presence of Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Bangladesh Finance Minister AMA Muhith.

The $1 billion loan, the biggest-ever credit package by India to any nation, will finance 14 development projects of Bangladesh -- particularly for infrastructure building.

The line of credit is also the single-largest loan to Bangladesh from any nation, development bank or donor agency.

BDST: 1752 HRS, AUGUST 12, 2010