Padma Bridge

Malaysia for signing final deal

DHAKA: The government has received a draft proposal from Malaysia for signing final deal on constructing the much-talked-about Padma Bridge connecting the southwestern region to the rest of the country.

A 13-member Malaysian delegation led-by Malaysian government’s special ambassador for South Asian region Dato Seri S Samy Vellu gave the official proposal to Communications Minister Obaidul Quader at a function held at Shetu Bhaban at Mohakhali in the city Thursday.

“We will evaluate the draft proposal and discuss different aspects of the proposal. Later, we will talk with the Malaysian government,” said Obaidul.

In response to a query, he said the government would give priority on our national, economic and people’s interest in receiving the proposal.

Replying to another question, he said, “The finance ministry is trying to find out a prestigious resolution of the World Bank’s allegation over Padma Bridge financing.”

On April 10, Bangladesh inked a deal with Malaysia for implementing the $ 2.3 billion Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB) Project.

On October 10 in the last year, the World Bank had suspended its funding for the project following charges of corruption in river dredging, appointment of consultants and preliminary selections.

But the government of Bangladesh rejected the allegation of corruption. Anti Corruption Commission also did not get any evidence of corruption.

On March 25 this year, outgoing Malaysian High Commissioner to Dhaka Jamaluddin Sabeh said the Malaysian cabinet approved the proposal to invest in much-talked-about Padma Bridge project.

The World Bank earlier was to provide $1.2-billion for construction of the Padma Bridge.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had promised $615 million financing, Japan International Cooperation Agency $400 million and Islamic Development Bank $140 million more for the country’s longest bridge over the mighty Padma River that cuts off country’s southwest from the capital.

BDST: 1945 HRS, JUN 28, 2012
Edited by: Shahin Afroz, Newsroom Editor / M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor