Govt seeks $3.80b Chinese funding for 5 mega bridges

The government is seeking approximately US$3.80 billion in Chinese financing for five major bridge projects worth more than Tk64,447 crore ($5.25 billion) as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman prepares for his first official visit to China since assuming office.

The proposed projects, which form part of a broader transport connectivity strategy, include the Shariatpur-Chandpur Meghna Bridge, Second Padma Bridge, Barishal-Bhola Bridge System, Second Jamuna Bridge, and Second Mukterpur Bridge. Together, the projects require an estimated Tk46,587.58 crore ($3.80 billion) in foreign financing, while the government is expected to contribute Tk17,859.63 crore ($1.45 billion).

Officials familiar with the preparations said the projects are expected to feature prominently in discussions during the prime minister’s visit, where  Dhaka hopes to gauge Beijing’s interest in supporting a new generation of transport infrastructure through concessional loans, grants and public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements.

The move comes nearly a decade after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s landmark visit to Bangladesh in 2016, when Beijing pledged around $20 billion in loans and assistance. Government data show that roughly half of that commitment has since entered Bangladesh’s aid pipeline, with signed loan agreements totaling $8.89 billion across 13 projects and disbursements reaching $5.53 billion.

The largest proposal is the Shariatpur-Chandpur Meghna River Bridge, estimated to cost Tk19,461.88 crore, including Tk16,821.31 crore in foreign financing. The bridge is intended to strengthen connectivity between coastal districts and Dhaka-linked economic corridors while reducing dependence on ferry services.

The proposed Second Padma Bridge on the Paturia-Daulatdia corridor carries an estimated cost of Tk8,853.59 crore, with Tk5,853.59 crore expected from foreign lenders. The project was included in the ruling BNP’s election manifesto and is intended to provide an additional strategic crossing connecting Dhaka with western and southwestern Bangladesh.

The Barishal-Bhola Kalabadar and Tetulia Bridge System, estimated at Tk17,466.32 crore, would improve connectivity between Bhola Island and the mainland, addressing long-standing transport constraints in the coastal region.

Another major proposal is the Second Jamuna Bridge, estimated at Tk17,500 crore, aimed at easing pressure on the existing Bangabandhu Bridge and strengthening Bangladesh’s primary north-south transport corridor.

The fifth project is the Second Mukterpur Bridge in Munshiganj, estimated at Tk1,165.43 crore, with Chinese grant financing of Tk845.43 crore proposed under the Bangladesh-China Friendship framework.

Despite growing discussion around Chinese participation, senior government officials caution that no formal financing arrangement has yet been finalised.

Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), said the projects have not yet reached ERD for formal consideration.

“We have not received any official proposal so far. Since no proposal has come to ERD, we cannot say whether financing will come from China. The line ministries are currently working on the concepts and are in a better position to explain the status,” he said.

He added that no development partner has formally expressed commitment to finance the projects and that discussions remain at a preliminary stage.

Officials at the Bangladesh Bridge Authority also stressed that the initiatives remain largely at the feasibility and planning stage.

Mohammad Abdur Rouf, executive director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, told The Daily Sun that the projects have been included in development planning but have not yet matured into firm investment decisions.

“These projects are still under study and the government process has only begun. Discussions with development partners, including China, remain preliminary. We expect to have a clearer picture after the prime minister’s visit,” he said.

Rouf said multiple financing options remain open, including concessional loans and PPP arrangements, while interest from other potential partners could also emerge as the projects advance through appraisal and feasibility reviews.

Economists have welcomed efforts to improve connectivity but warned against rushing into large-scale borrowing without rigorous evaluation.

Former Bangladesh Bank Chief Economist Mustafa K Mujeri told the Daily Sun that additional river crossings could generate significant economic benefits by reducing travel time, improving regional integration and enhancing logistics efficiency.

However, he stressed that every project must pass detailed feasibility assessments before implementation.

“The critical issue is economic viability. The expected returns, costs, environmental impact and social benefits must be thoroughly evaluated. Given the size of these investments, decisions should be based on comprehensive feasibility studies rather than ambition alone,” he said.

The bridge proposals come as Bangladesh seeks to revitalise infrastructure cooperation with China amid a slowdown in project approvals and loan disbursements following the Covid-19 pandemic and broader economic pressures.

The financing discussions are expected to feature prominently during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to China, his first overseas trip since assuming office in February this year. 

Foreign ministry officials have indicated that Bangladesh and China are likely to sign between 15 and 17 bilateral instruments, including memorandums of understanding (MoUs), agreements, an action plan and a protocol, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told reporters at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 20 June. During the visit, the prime minister will attend the World Economic Forum’s 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, widely known as the Summer Davos Forum, which is being held in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian from 23 to 25 June.

In addition to participating in the global economic forum, Tarique is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on 25 June and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on 26 June. 

Officials expect infrastructure financing, trade, investment, connectivity and broader economic cooperation to feature prominently in the discussions.

While no immediate funding commitments are anticipated, officials say the visit could provide an important platform for advancing negotiations on several strategic infrastructure projects, including the proposed five-bridge programme.

If eventually approved and financed, the projects would significantly expand Bangladesh’s river-crossing capacity, strengthen regional connectivity, improve logistics efficiency and further reinforce China’s position as one of Bangladesh’s most important development and infrastructure partners. The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka on Friday night.