Two Middle-eastern development partners are likely to provide US$73 million in loans to facilitate a major bridge construction in Bangladesh's southern region, officials said on Saturday.
The Kuwait Fund for Development (KFD) would provide $43 million in two tranches and the UAE's Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) $30 million for the 1.23km Chunkuri Bridge in Khulna, officials at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) said.
"After a long time, the middle-eastern donors are coming forward to support Bangladesh's infrastructure development. We are hopeful about getting extended support from the middle-eastern development partners in the future too," a senior ERD official told the FE.
The Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) will construct the bridge over the Chunkuri River in Khulna to boost tourism and economy in the Sundarbans areas, said an official.
The bridge will connect Dakope and Batiaghata upazilas with Khulna easing road communication with the Sundarbans, he added.
"The KFD has already completed its appraisal mission on the proposed loans while a team from the ADFD will come soon to finalise its loan," said the official.
In 2018, the KFD provided $130 million in loan for constructing the Lebukhali Bridge in the southern Barisal area of Bangladesh.
The ADFD's last assistance was confirmed at least 3-4 years ago for projects including South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity, Shikalbaha Power Station, Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Factory, and Teesta dam construction.
Meanwhile, the LGED has recently sent a development project proposal (DPP) to the Planning Commission for approval, a senior official of the Planning Ministry said.
The cost of the project is estimated at Tk7.55 billion - Tk1.70 billion will come from the government exchequer and Tk5.85 billion from the ADFD.
The LGED has proposed to complete the construction of Chunkuri Bridge by June 2027, the official added.
According to the DPP, it will construct the 1,234.38-metre substructure and 1,500-metre superstructure of the bridge over the river Chunkuri.
River management works, construction of toll plazas and consultancy services will also be taken up.
