The 71.7Km Melodoni-Manda-Bure road project that will connect Ethiopia to Eritrea's Asseb Port was kicked off late last week. Having a total cost of two billion Birr that will be covered by the Ethiopian government, the road will be built by Chinese firm Shandong Liquino Group. The project is hoped to boost trade and strengthen ties between Ethiopia and Eritrea. During the ceremony of setting the foundation stone attended by Dagmawit Moges, minister of Transport, and Awol Arba, president of Afar Regional State, the project was highlighted as being in alignment with the Ministry's 10-year plan for the transportation sector. The plan gives special attention to interconnecting commercial destinations, urban and rural development centres, areas that are sources of industrial raw materials, industrial zones and centres, tourist destinations and social service providers