The Sylhet-Dhaka highway is expected to be fully upgraded to six lanes and opened to traffic by mid-2029, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said on Saturday.
He said the six-lane upgrade of the Sylhet-Dhaka Highway was progressing as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s road communication network.
Once completed, the project will improve connectivity between Sylhet and other parts of the country and help create greater opportunities for investment and trade, he said.
The minister made the announcement while addressing the inauguration of the Metropolitan Business Association at a convention hall in Sylhet city as the chief guest.
He also announced plans to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) training centre in Sylhet to equip young people with skills for the information technology sector.
Muktadir said he had discussed the proposed AI training centre with the ICT minister.
A final decision is expected after the ICT minister visits Sylhet next week or the following week, he added.
The initiative is aimed at helping young people acquire skills needed to enter the information technology sector, he said.
“Many young people in the country are earning through freelancing. If opportunities are created for young people in Sylhet to join this sector through training, they will be able to work with different organisations at home and abroad,” Muktadir said.
He stressed that better connectivity, information technology facilities and law and order were essential for attracting investment to Sylhet.
“There is no alternative to infrastructure development and creating skilled human resources for the overall development of a region,” he said.
Speaking about security, the minister said the presence of drugs or juvenile gangs in an area could discourage investment.
He said greater emphasis was being placed on technology-based surveillance to strengthen security.
The minister also announced plans to bring Sylhet city under an advanced CCTV surveillance system. The cameras will have facial-recognition capabilities and be able to provide effective surveillance at night, he said.
Leaders and businessmen of the Metropolitan Business Association attended the programme.
