State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Shahriar Alam said Thursday the government was taking time to decide on the Sonadia deep-sea port awaiting the best of offers it received from different countries.
But he said the government would continue discussion with China on the deep-sea port. Construction of the port will turn Bangladesh into a regional hub for transportation of goods of neighbouring countries and help ensure timely shipping apart from reducing import-export costs.
"There was no possibility of signing any agreement on the Sonadia deep-sea port with China during the Prime Minister's visit to the country," the state minister said while briefing journalists on the PM's just-concluded China visit at the conference room of the foreign ministry.
In reply to a query from the press, he said there was no tricky point that could hinder the agreement signing. He also said there was no relation of the deep-sea port construction with other countries as reported by some newspapers.
Prior to the Prime Minister's six-day visit to China, different media outlets reported that there was the possibility of signing an agreement on the port.
The state minister, however, said the foreign ministry had made it clear prior to the visit that there was no possibility of signing any agreement on the port.
The state minister said the significant success of the PM's visit to China was the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Karnaphuli tunnel. The tunnel, the first of its kind to be constructed under the Karnaphuli, will accelerate development on both sides of the river.
He said signing of the MoU on the multi-lane tunnel was held at the last moment under the successful leadership of the PM.
"The MoU on the tunnel is considered a turning point for socio-economic development and a milestone in road communication in Bangladesh," he added.
He said during the PM's visit, a joint statement was made comprising 20 points. They include two agreements on financial and technical cooperation and a joint venture for construction of a 1320-megawatt coal-based power plant in Patuakhali's Kolapara and the MoUs on a Chinese economic zone and the Karnaphuli tunnel.
Regarding the MoU on establishment of a garment village on 490 acres of land in Munshiganj's Gozaria, the state minister said priority would be given to the members of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for setting up and operating factories there.
He said the Chinese project grant had been doubled to RMB 300 million from the RMB 15 million.
Foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque was present, among other senior officials of the ministry, at the briefing.
\\\'Talks to continue\\\' with China on deep-sea port
FE Report | Published: June 13, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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