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Ride-hailing juggernaut Uber announced today it’s launching in the South Asian state of Bangladesh, with capital city Dhaka the first port of call.

Home to approximately 18 million people, Dhaka is one of the most congested metropolitan centers in Asia, with few mass transit options. As a result, snarling traffic jams are a common occurrence.

Uber says it wants to benefit Dhaka’s residents by reducing congestion and improving air quality but it’s unclear how it plans on doing so.

Feels good to be number one. #UberinDhaka #RiderZero @Uber_BD http://pic.twitter.com/yRAQX2pWvD

— Shakib Al Hasan (@Sah75official) November 22, 2016

The first Uber ride in Bangladesh was hailed by cricketer Shakib Al Hasan.

Uber’s not the first ride-hailing startup to launch in Dhaka, but it might be the richest. Local ventures Chalo and BD Cabs started operations last year with similar goals of solving traffic woes.

The San Francisco-headquartered company raised US$3.5 billion in its last funding round from the investment arm of the Saudi Arabian government.

Source: Dhaka Tribune

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