Japanese firm proposes $3.4bn bridge projects under PPP model

Japanese construction company Miyagawa Kensetsu Construction Ltd has expressed interest in building the proposed Bhola-Barishal and Shariatpur-Chandpur bridges under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, paving the way for two major infrastructure projects worth an estimated Tk33,423 crore ($3.44 billion).

Officials expect the projects to transform regional connectivity, accelerate economic activity in southern Bangladesh and improve the country's transport network. The government has targeted completion of the two bridges by 2033, while it will bear the land acquisition costs under the PPP framework.

The Japanese company announced its interest during the eighth Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform meeting held recently in Dhaka, according to officials from the Bridge Division and the PPP Authority.

The meeting also formally included the Bhola-Barishal and Shariatpur-Chandpur bridge projects in the Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform, reflecting both governments' commitment to advancing large-scale infrastructure through private investment.

Bangladesh's delegation included Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, PPP Authority CEO Ashik Chowdhury and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Dr Md Shakiul Islam Khan.

The Japanese delegation included Prime Minister's Special Adviser Uno Yoshimasa, Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi, Assistant Vice Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Fujita Masakuni, and Assistant Vice Minister for International Aviation Nakayama Reiko.

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism had earlier selected Miyagawa Kensetsu Construction Ltd for the proposed Bhola-Barishal bridge project.

Bridge Division officials said the government had also discussed the Shariatpur-Chandpur bridge with South Korea. They added that Miyagawa could implement the projects either independently or in partnership with other Japanese companies.

Before selecting the developer formally, the government will appoint a transaction adviser to conduct feasibility work. It will then issue a request for proposals (RFP), evaluate the submissions and negotiate a final agreement with the selected investor.

Stallion Capital Ltd is serving as Miyagawa's local partner in Bangladesh by supporting investment planning, project development and implementation.

Stallion Capital Chairman Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed said the company had worked for years to expand Japanese investment in Bangladesh's infrastructure sector.

"The Bhola-Barishal Bridge is more than a transport project. It can unlock new opportunities for the economy, industry and employment across the southern region," he said.

Bhola-Barishal bridge

The Bhola-Barishal Bridge is the larger of the two projects, with an estimated cost of Tk17,466 crore.

The proposed 10.86-kilometre bridge would become Bangladesh's longest bridge, creating a permanent road link between Bhola island and Barishal on the mainland.

A 2024 feasibility study projected that the bridge would attract investment, create jobs and contribute 0.86% to Bangladesh's GDP over the next 30 years. The bridge would also facilitate the supply of natural gas from Bhola to the national grid.

The bridge will also facilitate the supply of natural gas from Bhola to the national grid. Officials expect to complete the project by 2033.

Officials expect construction to finish by 2033.

Shariatpur-Chandpur bridge

The proposed 8-kilometre Shariatpur-Chandpur Bridge over the Meghna River carries an estimated cost of Tk15,957 crore.

The bridge would directly connect 21 districts in the southwest with 11 districts in the southeast, providing a reliable alternative to ferry services.

Officials expect the project to reduce the distance between Khulna and Chattogram by about 90 kilometres, while easing traffic pressure on Dhaka.

The bridge will connect Harina ferry terminal in Chandpur with Shakhipur in Shariatpur. The government aims to complete the project by 2032 after finishing surveys commissioned by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

Japan also shows interest in Bhola-Lakshmipur bridge

During the meeting, Bangladesh also formally presented the proposed Bhola-Lakshmipur Bridge project.

The Japanese delegation expressed strong interest, describing it as a strategic investment that could strengthen regional connectivity, boost trade and support economic growth across southern Bangladesh.

According to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, the bridge over the Meghna River would significantly improve transport on a key inter-district route serving 21 districts across the Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions.

PPP Authority CEO Ashik Chowdhury said the Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform had become a trusted mechanism for delivering major infrastructure projects and attracting quality foreign investment. He also stressed the need for stronger coordination among stakeholders to speed up project implementation.

The meeting concluded with remarks by Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, who reaffirmed the government's full support for the platform and its priority projects. Bangladesh and Japan also agreed to deepen cooperation to accelerate strategic infrastructure projects, create jobs, improve regional competitiveness and promote long-term sustainable economic growth.

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The Japanese delegation additionally proposed including a waste-to-energy project in Chattogram under the joint PPP platform and discussed modernising Bangladesh's ageing railway bridges with Japanese technical assistance.

Participants also reviewed progress on several ongoing flagship projects, including the Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub, operation and maintenance of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Outer Ring Road project, and local bridge development projects under the Roads and Highways Department.

Source: TBS