Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) –  Bangladesh government has tied up with Malaysia to build about 8,400 flats at Uttara in the capital Dhaka after local contractors failed to implement the project in time.

The cabinet committee on economic affairs at a meeting on Sunday approved a proposal to construct 100 buildings under technical and financial management of the Malaysian government on a design-build-transfer basis.

Two Malaysian firms will construct the 16-storey buildings using industrialised building system (IBS), according to the proposal of the housing and public works ministry.

In May, a six-member team from Bangladesh visited Malaysia to see   buildings constructed using the IBS, which is a technique of construction where components are manufactured in a controlled environment, either at site or off site.

Earlier in April, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two governments.

In October 2011, the government approved the apartment project at an estimated cost of BDT 90.30 billion.

Though local contractors were appointed for the construction of the flats, the government later cancelled their appointments.

BBN/SSR/AD-07July14-2:41 am (BST)