25 projects placed for Chinese fund during Xi’s visit

Economic Relations Division (ERD) officials said both governments, however, signed a dozen of joint-venture projects of $13.6bn while negotiation continued for other 13 projects. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Dhaka last month. The projects proposed for Chinese funds include Padma bridge rail link project (phase I and II), Dhaka-Sylhet four-lane highway project, Info-Sarkar project and Dhaka-Ashulia elevated expressway, marine drive expressway and coastal protection in Sitakunda, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar. Finance Minister AMA Muhith described Xi Jinping’s visit as a “huge progress” in trade relation between Bangladesh and the economic powerhouse, China. A number of 10 Chinese-funded projects have already been approved by the cabinet committee on public purchase and economic affairs committee. The projects include construction of tunnel under the River Karnaphuli, Dhaka-Sylhet four lane highway project and two phases of the Padma Bridge rail link project and installation of double pipeline at the Single-Point Mooring (SPM). The projects under ICT Division include Development of National ICT Infra-Network for Bangladesh Government Phase III (Info-Sarkar). Power Division projects include the system loss reduction by replacing 5m electro-mechanical energy meters with electronic energy meters and expansion and strengthening of power system network in the Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) area. The projects also include construction of the broad gauge rail track parallel to the existing metre gauge line in Joydebpur-Mymensing section. Officials said China was yet to respond on funding four development projects of Tk860.59 crore. The projects are construction of new inland container depot near Dhirasram Railway station and replacement of overloaded distribution transformers, among others. Other projects include Gazaria 350-megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant, establishing digital connectivity and construction of the  metre gauge railway track into the broad gauge railway track in Akhaura and Sylhet.