The government is likely to seek Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) funds for six more projects in different sectors after having received US$ 165 million for bankrolling a power project.
Officials said the Economic Relations Division had earlier selected seven projects for getting AIIB loans but received US$ 165 million for one on upgrading power-distribution system in the country.
Officials said though the rest six projects still stand in the queue, the ERD continued to receive requests from different agencies to seek funds from the China-led financing agency for more projects.
"There might be some commission or omission of projects following changes in the decision," said one of them.
Sources said among the six projects, the Chinese government had already selected one on construction of Boga bridge over the river Loharia providing fund as its grants. Construction of the Boga bridge has recently been selected as ninth Bangladesh-China friendship bridge.
So the Road Transport and Highways Division has been working to replace the project from the ERD's previously prepared list, they added.
RTH Division officials said a decision had already been taken to send new list with the request for funds for two bridge-construction projects over rivers Chunkuri and Ramnabad in southwestern region. Â
The AIIB Board of Directors, since inception of the new Asian development-financing bank, has approved three loans to finance projects in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Tajikistan
It supports infrastructure development and regional connectivity in Asia. The Bank has a target of lending approximately $1.2 billion in 2016.
The ERD on its first list selected two projects in power sector, two in road sector and three others in railway sector for the AIIB funding in May.
The $165 million loan to Bangladesh, approved on June 24, was for a power-distribution- system upgradation and expansion scheme meant for expanding electricity coverage by providing 2.5 million new service connections in rural areas, and upgrading two grid substations and converting 85-circuit-km overhead distribution lines into underground cables in northern Dhaka.
The government took the decision to approach for loan from the AIIB after the parliament ratified the AIIB Bill 2016 in February. Earlier in January, Bangladesh applied for the bank membership but was rejected for not having parliament ratification. Â
smunima@yahoo.com
BD seeks AIIB funds for six more projects
Munima Sultana | Published: August 16, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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