A Japanese mission is now in Dhaka to find out the scope for financing the Matarbari port and the second metro rail projects, officials said on Monday.
A Ministry of Finance (MoF) official said the fact-finding mission from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will sit with the government ministries and agencies concerned during its visit until July 26.
The mission has a plan to sign minutes of discussion with the Bangladesh government to prepare basic framework and action plans for both projects, said the finance ministry official.
He said, "The JICA has assured us of providing necessary funds for developing a port at Matarbari in Cox's Bazar and for another metro rail (MRT line-1) in the capital Dhaka."
Both the projects are expected to be enlisted in the next 40th Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) package of Japan.
The ODA package is likely to be signed by December next.
"The amount of the potential aid package has not been finalised yet. After the conclusion of the JICA mission, the amount of funding could be known through working out details of the both projects," said the official.
The government has been constructing the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line-6 from Uttara to Motijheel with the financial support of the JICA.
Japan has also assured the government of financing the MRT line-1 construction project as Dhaka city is plagued with perennial traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government has already started detailed design of the MRT line-01 between Airport and Kamlapur.
The ministry of road transport and bridges (MoRT&B) officials said that the state-run Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMCTL) had taken up a Tk 7.09 billion project to prepare the detailed JICA is also providing nearly Tk 4.05 billion worth of assistance for completing detailed design of the first line.
The route of the new MRT line is: Airport to Kamalapur via Khilkhet, Notun Bazar, Badda and Malibagh.
There will also be connecting lines from Jamuna Future Park, Bashundhara and Purbachal.
The ministry official said the consultant will prepare the bidding document after the detailed design for hiring the contractor for starting the construction work of the 27-kilometre-metro-long line.
The DMTCL official said they have a plan to invite international tender by 2021 for starting the construction of the line.
The finance ministry official said the ongoing JICA mission from its Tokyo headquarters will meet the ministry of shipping, road transport and highways division, power division, the Chittagong Port Authority, and the DMCTL.
It will also sit with the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited, Bangladesh and Roads and Highways Department for formulating the framework and actions plans for both projects.
The Matarbari port will be developed mainly to handle the imported coal for running the proposed power plants at Matarbari, the proposed largest power and energy hub of the country.
The finance ministry official said after its mission, the government will start negotiation with JICA for receiving adequate funds for both projects.
