Bangladesh, Japan add two bridge projects to joint PPP platform
Bangladesh and Japan have added the Shariatpur–Chandpur Bridge and Barisal–Bhola Bridge projects to their joint Public-Private Partnership platform, seeking to accelerate infrastructure investment and improve regional connectivity.
The projects were confirmed at the eighth Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform Meeting, held at InterContinental Dhaka on Thursday, according to a press release.
The meeting reviewed ongoing projects, considered new proposals and identified priorities for future collaboration.
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ABM Abdus Sattar, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and Ashik Chowdhury, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Private Partnership Authority, attended the meeting.
Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Overseas Employment in the Asia-Pacific Region (Secretary-rank), was also present.
The Japanese delegation included UNO Yoshimasa, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Japan; SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh; FUJITA Masakuni, Assistant Vice Minister for Real Estate and Construction Economy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; and NAKAYAMA Reiko, Assistant Vice-Minister for International Aviation.
Senior government officials and development partners from both countries also attended.
The platform reviewed progress on the Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub, the operation and maintenance of Terminal 3 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Outer Ring Road Project and the Roads and Highways Department's Local Bridge Improvement Project.
Bangladesh and Japan agreed to address implementation issues, strengthen coordination among government agencies and accelerate project delivery.
For the Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub, the two sides confirmed that coordination would continue on the revised master plan and related implementation activities.
They also agreed to expedite the remaining procedures for the operation and maintenance of Terminal 3 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Following the signing of the contract, implementation will continue to be monitored through the Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform, the release said.
Alongside the two newly confirmed bridge projects, the Japanese delegation proposed including a waste-to-energy project in Chattogram city under the platform to support urban development and environmental management.
The Bangladesh delegation formally presented the Bhola–Lakshmipur Bridge project. The Japanese side expressed interest in the proposal, citing its potential to improve regional connectivity, facilitate trade and support economic growth in southern Bangladesh.
The platform also reviewed a proposal to renew Bangladesh's ageing railway bridges through Japanese technical cooperation.
Ashik Chowdhury said the Bangladesh-Japan PPP partnership had developed into a trusted mechanism for delivering major infrastructure and attracting quality investment.
He reaffirmed the Public Private Partnership Authority's commitment to accelerating project implementation through close coordination among stakeholders.
In his closing remarks, ABM Abdus Sattar reaffirmed the government's support for the joint platform and the implementation of priority PPP projects.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to advancing strategic infrastructure projects and promoting sustainable development to improve connectivity, create jobs and strengthen regional competitiveness.
