Bangladesh and China signed an agreement on Thursday to construct the 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, a project designed to strengthen road connectivity and stimulate economic activity in the country’s southern region.
The deal was signed by Md Moksed Ali, Joint Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, and Song Yang, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, at a ceremony held in the division’s conference room.
The bridge will be built over the Lohalia River, downstream of Baga Ferry Ghat, at the 14th kilometre of the Lebukhali-Bauphal-Galachipa-Amragachia District Highway in Patuakhali. The total length of the project is about 2.62 kilometres, comprising a 1.348-kilometre main bridge and a 1.272-kilometre approach road.
Under the agreement, the Government of China will fund the construction of the bridge and approach road through grants, while the Government of Bangladesh will cover land acquisition, utility relocation, and other incidental costs. China’s designated institution will also complete the detailed design and finalisation of the bridge.
Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, and Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen attended the signing. Senior officials from the Economic Relations Division, the Roads and Highways Department, the Road Transport and Highways Division, and the Chinese Government were also present.
The project is expected to play a key role in the socio-economic development of the southern region and contribute significantly to the national economy.
