FROM PAGE B1

These include the Power Grid Network Strengthening Project under PGCB, the Expansion and Strengthening of Power System Network under the DPDC Area Project, another Power Grid Network Strengthening Project under PGCB, the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, and the Rajshahi WASA Surface Water Treatment Plant project.

The Single Point Mooring with Double Pipeline project in Maheshkhali has been completed but has yet to be commissioned due to contractor-related complications.

Most recently, Bangladesh and China signed a framework agreement for the Procurement of Four New Vessels project. Under the agreement, China will provide concessional financing at an interest rate of 2 percent, with a repayment period of 20 years, including a five-year grace period.

PM’S MAIDEN BEIJING VISIT TO SEEK CHINESE FUNDING

Bangladesh is expected to seek Chinese financing for three major projects during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to China.

According to an official document prepared ahead of the visit, Dhaka will request funding for the expansion and modernisation of Mongla Port, the development of a Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone under the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), and the Bangladesh-China Friendship 1,000-bed General Hospital project.

The hospital is proposed to be implemented through Chinese grant assistance.

The document notes that both the Mongla Port expansion project and the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone were included in a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project is likely to receive a two-year extension as the current Development Project Proposal (DPP) is set to expire on June 30.

The project’s physical progress reached 63.5 percent as of last month.

Project Director Shafiqul Islam told The Daily Star that a proposal has already been sent to the Planning Commission seeking an extension until June 2028.

He said the proposal had received policy-level approval from the planning adviser and was now awaiting consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).

EXPERTS CALL FOR SHIFT TOWARDS INVESTMENT

Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said the slow progress of Chinese-backed projects in Bangladesh is due to shifting priorities, implementation delays and government project reviews.

Referring to projects announced during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2016 visit, he said nearly half have been implemented, while others were revised, dropped or stalled over time.

“Signing an MoU does not mean every project will eventually be implemented,” he said, noting that some coal-fired power projects were later cancelled and several stalled initiatives are now being reconsidered.

Rahman cited the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Anwara as an example of a project that lost momentum amid disputes over land acquisition and investment commitments but is now being revived.

He stressed the need to scrutinise the terms of new Chinese loans, including interest rates and repayment conditions.

According to him, Bangladesh should focus on attracting Chinese investment by leveraging China’s duty-free market access for Bangladeshi products, which Beijing has agreed to extend for two years after the country’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.