#Title

Chinese firm keen to invest
FROM PAGE 12
government initiative. China is providing a loan of Tk 21,036 crore for the project.
Two more rail projects were expected to be implemented with Chinese loans. Beijing even selected two Chinese contractors for those projects, but implementation of those is uncertain now as China pulled out from funding one while the selected Chinese contractor declined to work for the other project after the negotiated price was cut by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Different Chinese companies are also involved in at least five major ongoing railway infrastructure projects, including two fast-track schemes -- Padma Bridge Rail Link and Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Rail Link.
BHANGA-PAYRA RAIL LINE
The BR was willing to construct the rail line from Faridpur’s Bhanga to Payra via Madaripur and Barishal. The BR authorities expect that the direct link between the sea port and the capital would boost its revenue through freight train operations.
It completed feasibility studies and detailed designs for the line in 2021. The line, which will have 19 stations, will cost around Tk 41,797.60 crore ($4.93 billion).
The estimate was made when US dollar exchange rate against taka was 85. If the current exchange rate (Tk 107) is taken into consider, the project cost would be Tk 52,739 crore.
The proposed deadline of the project is June 2029.
NEW PROPOSAL
In the letter to the railways minister, Powerchina said it is a state-owned and integrated construction group, having business in Bangladesh since early 1990s.
It owns many brands including Sinohydro and Hydrochina, and has already completed 18 projects in Bangladesh. Besides, 25 other projects are underway.
As per analysis of the project feasibility study, Powerchina has found that this project is economically viable.
The company said that the PPP model seems to be more favourable to the BR as it would allow BR to avoid borrowing a huge amount of money initially.
“Powerchina would recommend that this project should be developed via AP [Annual Payment] scheme under PPP model,” the letter added.
Powerchina and its potential consortium partner, as investor and contractor, will be responsible for the design, financing, and construction of the project and take the annual investment return payments from BR in line with agreed schedule and terms, it said.
On the other hand, the BR will be responsible for land acquisition, operation, keeping the income and profit generated from passenger and freight transport, and paying back the investors, read the letter.
Powerchina wanted to sign an MoU with the BR immediately to start updating the feasibility study of the project and other preparatory works.

Belarus jails reporter for three years for article on KGB
AFP, Moscow
Belarus yesterday sentenced a journalist who worked for a Russian newspaper to three years in prison for an article that mentioned the reclusive country’s powerful KGB secret police, state-run media reported.
Moscow-aligned Belarus, ruled by President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994, has forced most of the media to flee and jailed remaining independent journalists.
Reporter Gennady Mozheyko was found guilty of insulting Lukashenko, as well as inciting national and social discord, state news agency BELTA reported.
Mozheyko worked in the Minsk offices of Russia’s pro-Kremlin newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda.
The reason for the probe against him was a 2021 article -- taken offline shortly after it was published -- on a shootout involving the KGB in Minsk.
Unlike Russia, Belarus still retains the name of Soviet-era institutions, including the KGB.
Belarusian police at the time said Mozheyko fled to Russia in the hope of getting to a third country, but he was deported back to Belarus where he was arrested.
Komsomolskaya Pravda closed its Minsk offices after his arrest.
Mozheyko’s sentencing came less than a week after Belarus sentenced two senior staff of the country’s largest independent website to 12 years in prison.
Last month, Belarus also sentenced a Polish-Belarusian journalist to eight years in prison over his critical reporting of Lukashenko.
According to rights group Viasna, there are currently 1,454 political prisoners in Belarus.
Minsk allowed Moscow to use its territory for launching its offensive in Ukraine in February last year.