Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Tuesday said China is committed to continuing its utmost support for Bangladesh’s development and deepening cooperation in infrastructure projects including railways. "We are ready to actively consider all project proposals officially submitted by the Bangladeshi government after a sound feasibility and cost-benefit analysis," he said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project. Noting that next year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China, Ambassador Yao said China is also ready to provide technical support for feasibility studies. Adviser for the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Railways Fahim Islam, and Director General of Bangladesh Railway Afzal Hussain were, among others, present. According to statistics released by Bangladesh, in the fiscal year 2024, he said, the total amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Bangladesh declined by 8.8%. Phone Call: Sullivan lauds Prof Yunus for initiating vital political, election reforms But the FDI from China experienced a remarkable threefold increase compared to the previous fiscal year, said Ambassador Yao, adding, "So far, more than 20 Chinese companies have set up their South Asian headquarters in Bangladesh."   Since the interim government took office, at least 11 Chinese enterprises have invested a total of $180 million in Bangladesh. The Ambassador said they will continue to encourage Chinese enterprises to remain deeply engaged in Bangladesh, contributing to the nation’s industrial upgrading and export diversification and further strengthening our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to benefit the Bangladeshi people. "As a key cooperation project under the Belt and Road Initiative, it is also the “Road of Dreams” for the Bangladeshi people," he said, referring to the rail link project. With today’s entire operation of the project, the travel time between Dhaka and Jessore will be reduced from 10 hours to 2 hours, directly benefiting a population of 80 million and contributing an estimated 1.5 percent to Bangladesh’s GDP growth, he said. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides overcame difficulties to ensure the project was completed safely, with high quality, and on schedule, said the envoy. Sullivan, Prof Yunus pledge to protect human rights of all people: White House Project engineers shared that as the largest infrastructure project undertaken by China in Bangladesh, this project has extensively adopted advanced Chinese technologies and equipment, including ballastless tracks and automated sleeper production lines. Villagers along the project route also expressed their gratitude, saying that Chinese enterprises are not only builders of projects but also doers of public welfare to local communities. They helped construct access roads, build bridges, improve flood drainage systems, and donate flood relief, anti-epidemic control, and educational materials. "The project provided thousands of jobs for local communities and trained thousands of skilled Bangladeshi technicians," said Ambassador Yao, adding that it has successfully driven economic and social development along the route, becoming a model of Bangladesh-China economic and trade cooperation. "China stands ready to collaborate with Bangladesh to ensure this railway delivers even more significant economic and social benefits," said the Ambassador. China pursues a policy of friendship and good-neighbourliness for all the people of Bangladesh, and sincerely hopes that the nation could achieve unity, stability, and development, and firmly supports the interim government, he said. Since the establishment of the interim government, Ambassador Yao said, China has demonstrated its support with concrete actions.  "We dispatched a medical team to Bangladesh to assist those injured in the July-August movement." Screening of the Russian documentary film of the RT Documentary channel "Camera! Motor! Yakutia Recently, a delegation led by the Vice Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency visited Bangladesh, and had a meeting with Chief Advisor Prof Yunus and other advisors, delivering emergency relief and medical supplies. In response to Prof Yunus’ request for Chinese enterprises to establish solar panel manufacturing plants in Bangladesh, a delegation of Chinese photovoltaic enterprises from the People’s Government of Yunnan Province of China is currently exploring investment opportunities here. The envoy said Bangladesh has begun to enjoy zero tariff treatment for 100% of taxable items to China since December 1st this year. China has remained Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. The Chinese enterprises hold a positive outlook on the development prospects of Bangladesh, he said.

The development budget for 2024-25 fiscal year, approved by the previous government, is likely to witness a major shrink as the interim government has decided to scale back many of those labeling them ‘politically motivated’.  The interim government that came to power on August 8 following the student-led mass uprising has decided to cut short these ‘unessential’ projects, aiming to prevent wastage of public money. According to the Planning Ministry sources, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) concluded in its meetings that several projects initiated by the Awami League government had not delivered satisfactory results relative to their costs. “The development budget would be smaller comparing to the previous years,” Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud recently told in a media briefing after an ECNEC meeting.  Many project directors fled after govt change; new appointments delay progress: Planning Adviser The first four months of the current fiscal year have seen an exceptionally low 8% implementation rate of the development budget, which also applies to foreign-funded projects. The Planning Commission data shows that the rate stands at 12-13% for government entities using their own funds to implement projects. The pace of government development programmes has remained sluggish, with the Annual Development Programme (ADP) recording one of its lowest execution rates in the last five years. During the first four months of the current fiscal year, from July to October, the ADP implementation rate stood at only around 8%, the lowest figure in recent years, according to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Ministry. Its data highlights that, in contrast, the same period last year saw an execution rate of 11.54%. Specifically, for the period from July to October of the current fiscal year, the government managed to implement development projects worth Tk 21,978 crore, according to the IMED.  Dr Yunus- led interim government in its first Ecnec meeting had decided to reduce the development budget. Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud said many of the previous projects were politically motivated and unlikely to yield positive results in proportion to their costs. Planning Adviser apprehends economic recession amid stagnant investment, development spending “We did not believe these would bring any substantial results, so we have cut them. Typically, the revised development budget shrinks, but this time the reduction will be more significant,” he said. Planning Ministry sources said the slow pace of project implementation is partly due to the fact that many project directors have fled. This has created significant challenges for the government in continuing the projects. Planning Commission sources said the interim government is putting emphasis on the innovative and new type of projects moving away from outdated and politically motivated ones. The Planning Adviser has instructed relevant officials to carefully design projects ensuring they will deliver multiple positive outcomes relative to their costs, the sources said. The National Economic Council (NEC) of the Awami League government approved the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year of 2024-2025 with an outlay of Tk 265,000 crores. Govt prioritising quality over quantity in development spending: Planning Adviser The transport and communication sector got the highest allocation of Tk 70, 687.75 crore (26. 67pc of allocation) in the ADP. Besides, the NEC approved some Tk 13,288.91-crore ADP of the autonomous bodies or corporations. In the new ADP, the total number of projects is 1,321 including 1,133 investment projects, 21 survey projects, 87 technical assistance projects and 80 projects from the autonomous bodies and corporations. With 13,288.91 crore ADP for autonomous bodies or corporations, the total size of ADP for 2024-2025 stood at Tk 278,288.91 crore.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (November 11, 2023) inaugurated the much-awaited 102-kilometre Chattogram-Cox's Bazar dual-gauge single railway line setting yet another milestone in the country's communication network. The southern region wore a festive look as she unveiled the new rail route (from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar) for train movement at a ceremony at newly constructed Cox’s Bazar Railway Station.  The premier flagged off a train and then travelled by it from Cox’s Bazar Railway Station to Ramu Railway Station. Read: Oyster-shaped railway station adds greater tourist attraction to Cox’s Bazar She bought her own ticket from the counter of the railway station. She waved the green flag before boarding the train. She also blew the whistle signalling the start of the train. Addressing the inauguration programme, the prime minister said, “Today Cox's Bazar has been linked to the country's railway network.  I am really very delighted for being able to attend the inaugural ceremony physically, " she said. "I have kept my promise by inaugurating the railway. This was a longstanding demand of this region. This is a day of feeling proud," she said. Read: Railway Minister to inspect Dohazari-Cox's Bazar line before inauguration Talking to reporters during the train ride, the prime minister said that this train link will contribute a lot to country’s GDP and economy. “Transportation of goods, people and tourists will be expedited resulting in increase the GDP and more vibrant economy,” she said. She mentioned that Cox’s Bazar has the longest sandy sea beach in the world. “But we could not build this tourist spot up to the mark. We have to make sure that tourists can come here comfortably,” she said. PM Hasina said that apart of tourists conveyance the trade and commerce of this area have been given importance. “We are building a deep seaport, power station, building an economic zone here,” she said. She also mentioned that Bangladesh will be linked with trans Asian railway by this rail line. “This rail line will go to Ghumdhum from Ramu, later from Ghumdhum it will be linked with South and South East countries.” Read: Chinese-built railway opens via Bangladesh's Padma Bridge On her arrival at the venue, the prime minister was received by Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan and local MPs. Local artists greeted her with traditional songs and dances.  The railways minister presided over the programme. Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Bangladesh Ginting and Railways Ministry secretary Md Humayun Kabir also spoke at the event.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi jointly opened the newly constructed Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Railway Link Project, setting a significant milestone in cross-border connectivity. The important rail connection would contribute to boosting trade, business and tourism between the two neighbouring countries.The 12.24-km rail connection has linked Gangasagar Railway Station at Akhaura in Brahmanbaria to Nischintapur Railway Station at Agartala in India, connecting the northeastern region of India and Bangladesh. Israel must stop killing of Palestinian women and children: PM Hasina The railway link, with 6.78 km in Bangladesh’s part, was constructed under a joint venture of Bangladesh and India. The Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) railway line construction started in July 2018. The two prime ministers unveiled the Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, joining an event from Ganabhaban in Dhaka and New Delhi through a virtual platform. We are determined to hold free and fair vote: PM Hasina tells South Asian ECs The two PMs also inaugurated two other Indian-aided projects --Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Construction Project and Unit-2 of Rampal Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat. The 65-km railway from Khulna to Mongla port in Bagerhat would streamline goods transportation to the port. This railway will help transport Mongla port goods affordably within the country and support trade with India, Nepal, and Bhutan, contributing to regional economic growth. The Khulna-Mongla railway project began in September 2016. The second unit of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant Rampal would add 660 megawatt electricity to the national grid. The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2 and the 65-kilometre Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link have been implemented under the Indian LoC (Line of Credit) while the Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link with Indian grants. PM Hasina denounces Israeli attacks on Palestine, calls for ending the war The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, known as Rampal thermal power plant, with a total capacity of 1,320 MW in two units was implemented under a joint venture of the two neighbouring countries.

Initial work on a tunnel project to build ‘One City, Two Towns’ on the model of Shanghai city of China, on both banks of the Karnaphuli River in Port City Chattogram, began as early as 2017. This project is jointly funded by the governments of Bangladesh and China (G2G). Though initially estimated to cost some Tk 8400 crore, over time that has ballooned to Tk 10,698 crore. Bangladesh government provided Tk 4,619 crore, while the China Exim Bank contributed over Tk 6,000 crore to support the project. Motorcade from PMO makes trial crossing through ‘Bangabandhu Tunnel’ in Ctg The project aims to replicate a 'One City Two Towns' concept, similar to Shanghai in China, on both sides of the Karnaphuli River. The main tunnel has a length of 3.32 kilometres, with each of the two four-lane tubes measuring 2.45 kilometres. Additionally, there will be a 5.35 km link road at both the west and east ends of the main tunnel, along with a 727-metre-long flyover at the Anwara end. BB will release commemorative note of Tk50 to mark launch of Bangabandhu Tunnel The tunnel is situated at a depth ranging from 18 to 31 metres beneath the Karnaphuli River. Vehicles will enter the tunnel from Outer Ring Road, Elevated Expressway, Kathgar Road, Airport Road, and Patenga Beach Road through the tunnel’s north side. Vehicles will run at a speed of 80 km per hour through this tunnel. Despite huge challenges, Bangabandhu Tunnel completed with "high quality, efficiency": Project Manager According to the project documents, the tunnel will connect the proposed Asian Highway with the Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway and reduce the distance from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar by 40 km.

Awami League General Secretary and Bangladesh's Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday (October 19, 2023) said the caretaker government system has been laid to rest in Azimpur graveyard. "Why would the prime minister resign? Don't call for the caretaker government again. The path that BNP is taking is the wrong path. BNP is now on the verge of collapse after a failed movement,” he said. Also read: BNP will be blocked if it enforces blockades: Obaidul Quader Quader was speaking after the inauguration of 150 bridges and 14 overpasses at Sharak Bhaban in Dhaka's Tejgaon on Thursday morning. In his speech, the AL leader highlighted the development of Bangladesh in the last 15 years and said that this transformation is considered a marvel by the world. “This has been possible due to the creative leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.” Also read: BNP wants to indulge in evil game of 1/11 with Dr Yunus at the helm: Quader "If you want to protect the development of this country, the achievements of this country, the democracy of this country, if you love the country, then there is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina," he added. “Don't they see that the Prime Minister of Britain respects the Prime Minister of Bangladesh? The President of the United States took photos at the G-20 (with Sheikh Hasina) and also in New York,” he said. Also read: BNP is not happy with good news of increase in remittances: Quader Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan; Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Begum Raushan Ara Mannan, spoke on the occasion, among others.

In another development milestone, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (October 19, 2023) opened 150 newly constructed bridges in 39 districts and 14 newly constructed overpasses of the Roads and Highways Department simultaneously. She also unveiled the foundation stones of 1,100-metre Kewatkhali Bridge and 1,471-metre Rahmatpur Bridge over Brahmaputra river in Mymensingh, while opened newly constructed DTCA Bhaban for Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, BRTA Automated Motor Vehicle Fitness Test Centre of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, BRTC Bus Depot and Training Centre of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation as well as conferred the financial assistance to the road accident victims. Also read: PM Hasina denounces BNP as a terrorist party that kills people The premier inaugurated these infrastructures through a virtual platform from a programme in Sarak Bhaban in the city’s Tejgaon area. The audiences were also connected virtually from Mymensingh Circuit House Ground and BRTA Office in Mirpur. She also unveiled a mural of Bangabandhu in Sarak Bhaban, the office of Roads and Highways Department. In less than one year since the simultaneous inauguration of 100 bridges across the country, the prime minister opened 150 more bridges -- 40 bridges in Mymensingh Division, 32 in Dhaka Division, 27 in Chattogram, 22 in Rajshahi, 12 in Khulna, eight each in Barishal and Rangpur and one in Sylhet division. Also read: PM Hasina declares state mourning on Saturday for Palestinians killed by Israel Total length of the 150 bridges is 9.45km and the total length of 14 overpasses — eight in Rajshahi Division and six in Rangpur Division — is 689 meters. The 1100-metre Kewatkhali bridge, which is set to be the largest steel-arch bridge in the country, will be constructed at a cost of Tk 3263.63 crore, while the 1471-metre Rahmatpur bridge will be constructed at a cost of Tk 358 crore by June 2025. Stop race to overtake on roads: PM Addressing the function, the prime minister asked the drivers of motor vehicles to stop abnormal races on roads and tendency to overtake others unnecessarily, for preventing accidents and thus protecting the lives of the people. “We’ll have to stop the unusual competitions that take place on roads and the tendency to overtake,” she said. She stressed the need for imparting proper training to the drivers to check the unusual race on the road and change their mindset to avoid the unnecessary race. “They (drivers) should be given psychological education that it (the race) would invite damage not only to the people rather the drivers may lose their own lives as well,” she added. Hasina asked all to follow speed limit and traffic rules and allow the drivers to take proper rest. She focused on her government’s success over improvement of the country’s road connectivity, including development of highways and construction of bridges during her three consecutive regimes since 2009. On 7 November 2022, PM Hasina opened the 100 bridges in 25 districts. The total length of the bridges was 5.5km. Also read: PM Hasina urges OIC neighbours to resolve their problems through dialogue Among the 150 bridges constructed with a total cost of Tk 3,287 crore, the notable ones include Garakola and Nayarhat bridges in Gopalganj, Chapair bridge in Gazipur, Titas bridge in Brahmanbaria, Muhuri bridge in Feni, Matamuhuri bridge in Cox’s Bazar, Machrong bridge in Barishal, Tulalampur bridge in Narail, Simakhali bridge in Magura, Arialkhar bridge in Bogura, Bahagili bridge in Nilphamari, Chatak-Surma bridge in Sylhet. Eight of the new overpasses were constructed on Elenga-Hatikamrul-Rangpur Highway. The premier opened the distribution of financial assistance among the road accident victims and family members. A total of 162 victims or family members –-42 persons from Dhaka Division, 39 from Chattogram, 26 from Rajshahi, 18 from Rangpur, 11 from Khulna, 10 each from Mymensingh and Sylhet and six from Barishal division—received the financial assistance in the function. The distribution of the financial assistance among the road crash victims will continue. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Chairperson of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Rowshan Ara Mannan and Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division ABM Amin Ullah Nuri spoke at the event, while Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Syed Moinul Hasan delivered the welcome speech.

Dreams of some three lakh people in Kachua and Matlab Dakkhin upazilas of Chandpur district are finally coming true following the opening of a 42-meter long bridge over Boaljhuri canal. Socio-economic life in the locality will see a major change through the inauguration of the bridge. Read : 6-year-old girl dies as dengue cases rise in Kushtia The two upazilas — Matlab Dakkhin and Kachua — are separated by the Boaljhuri canal and people of the two upazilas had to cross the canal through boats. To mitigate the suffering of the people of two upazilas, local lawmakers took an initiative to build a bridge in an effort to ease communication. Once the bridge is opened, the social and economic lifestyle of Prashannacup, Banglabazar villages in Kachua bordering area and Kalikapur, Chartbhanga, Kashimpur villages under Matlab Dakkhin upazila will be changed. People can easily go to the district headquarters in a short period of time and at low cost. A Alim, upazila engineer of Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED), said they have completed the construction work of 42-meter concrete bridge over the Boaljhuri canal, at a cost of Tk 2.55 crore, financed by the government, and it will be opened on September 12. Read : Bodies of couple recovered in Chandpur Former minister and MP of Kachua constituency Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir will inaugurate the bridge, he said. The construction work of the bridge started in the 2020-21 fiscal year but it was delayed due to the pandemic. Approach roads have been built on both sides of the bridge, said A Alim. During a recent visit to the bridge area, the UNB correspondent saw that the painting of the bridge is underway. A number of stalls offering fuchka, coffee and tea were set up near the bridge while the construction of many shops is underway on both sides of the river. People were seen roaming around the bridge before the opening ceremony. Read : Bangladeshi cattle trader shot dead ‘by BSF ,along Panchagarh border Locals Abul Hossain, Shafique Patwari, said they had suffered a lot due to the absence of a bridge over the canal. The commute to the district headquarters used to be long. The bridge will help boost trade and income in the two upazilas, they believe. Teachers of Matlab Dakkhin Kalikapur High School said they had to cross the canal by boat to go to the school but now students and teachers can easily go to the school in a short time using the bridge.

The 20-year-long master plan to transform the tourism city Cox’s Bazar into a modern and smart city is likely to be initiated next month. The Cox's Bazar Development Authority (CoxDA) is ready to prepare a masterplan for the tourism city. "We're working to formulate a masterplan for 20 years — from 2023 to 2043 — to transform Cox's Bazar into a smart city. The formal work to this end will start next month," Chairman of the CoxDA, Commodore (retd) Muhammed Nurul Absar, told reporters in a views-exchange meeting held at his office on Saturday. Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher also spoke at the programme. Read: Bangladesh’s first tourism master plan yet to be formulated, was supposed to be completed last Dec A detailed area plan is also being formulated to ensure a planned development for an attractive and environment-friendly Cox’s Bazar. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier asked the authorities concerned to prepare a masterplan for Cox's Bazar, to develop it as a smart city with all the modern facilities. She also asked the authorities concerned to keep the beauty of the “longest natural unbroken sea beach” in the world unharmed. Sheikh Hasina wants to transform Cox's Bazar into a global hub of tourism and aviation by developing a dedicated tourist attraction for foreigners, and a state of the art international airport with the longest and only marine runway in the country, the CoxDA chairman said. Read: Agreement signed with Seoul for transport master plan for Chattogram city The CoxDA chairman also said they are formulating the masterplan following the directive of the prime minister. It includes formulating strategic policy plan, detailed area plan of all the upazilas and beach areas of Cox's Bazar (690.67 sqkm), and tourism and regional development plans. Disaster management, preparing a Smart City Model for Cox's Bazar, transport management, environment management, drainage and sanitation management, utilities and socio-economic development and sectoral plans are also the key features of the masterplan. To support the Vision 2041 announced by the Awami League government to turn Bangladesh into a developed country with high income, the CoxDA is undertaking several development projects. Read more: Second stakeholder meeting on energy master plan Sunday, 'final report by Dec' The projects include cable car installation from Cox's Bazar to Sabrong and Cox's Bazar to Moheshkhali, introducing watersports and other amusement facilities on the sea beach, indoor amusement park, CoxDA Marina Bay Resort, CoxDA Condominium Project, Eco-resort in Moheshkhali, protecting lives and boosting marine tourism, preparing a roadmap to tap potential of the blue economy, renewable energy project, installation of central sewerage treatment plant (STP), water treatment plan and introducing sea-plane, cruise ship and helicopter service and preparing integrated costal zone management plan. CoxDA chairman Commodore (retd) Muhammed Nurul Absar said they are working to set up the central STP in Cox's Bazar, otherwise the Bay of Bengal will be a dead zone with huge amounts of sewerage going into the sea. "Once the projects are completed, they can immensely contribute to achieve the targets of sustainable development goals," he said. He added that they have already completed several projects that include reforming and rehabilitating Cox's Bazar's traditional Laldighi, Goldighi, markets and ponds, and building a multi-storey building for CoxDA. Read more: Master plan for tourism in Bangladesh to be formulated in Dec: State Minister The ongoing development schemes of the CoxDA are: building residential flats for CoxDA, sculpture and modern passenger shed at Moheshkhali, reforming and expanding the main road of Cox's Bazar (Holiday Crossing-Bazatghata-Larpara Bus Stand).

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma has highlighted the important role of millet in ensuring food security, popularizing nutritional diet, promoting sustainable agriculture, and securing financial empowerment of farmers. He noted that Bangladesh and India have immense scope to cooperate in the exchange of knowledge, sharing of best practices, and in the research and development initiatives related to millet. The Indian High Commissioner inaugurated an exhibition on “Food Security and Importance of Millets” at the Indian Cultural Centre in Dhaka on May 21.