BD, Japan to sign fresh MoC to explore PPP opportunities

FE Team | Published: July 13, 2022 23:29:43

MUNIMA SULTANA
Bangladesh and Japan are set to sign a fresh memorandum of cooperation (MoC) for the next five years during the next joint platform meeting to carry out the development in investment opportunities of over US$ 8.0 billion created in public-private partnership (PPP) projects under the government to government arrangement.
The fifth Joint Platform meeting beginning in Japan on July 26 physically after over two years of gap will also explore the new investment opportunities of Japanese companies in Bangladesh under G-2-G PPP modality.
Sources said tenure of the first MoC ended on June 14 as the first Joint Platform meeting was held in 2017 creating scope of investment in rail and road infrastructure development.
The PPP Authority and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan which led the meeting from the respective government sides since 2017 have so far included four projects under the G-2-G PPP modality.
Though sub-working group (SWG) of Japanese private investors formed by the MLIT selected six projects but later Multimodal Transport Hub at Airport Station and Dhirersoram ICD projects were dropped from the list for not getting reliable Japanese companies.
Officials said though several projects were dropped from the list, scope of investment over US$ 8.0 billion have been created due to inclusion of new projects.
The 4th Platform meeting scheduled on March12, 2020 was postponed due to coronavirus, which was later held virtually on February 24, 2021.
A delegation led by Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus will lead the next meeting during July 26 and 29.
PPP Authority officials said the platform meeting is significant as it is being held physically after over three years and also there is scope of reviewing the progress of the ongoing projects and exploring opportunities of new investment.
So far Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub Project, Dhaka Outer Ring Road Project, Chattogram-Cox's Bazaar Highway and Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 are on the agenda of discussion. But they said more projects are likely to be added to the agenda.
"There is no problem in Kamalapur multimodal transport hub project except from the Bangladesh side. Besides, good progress is in Dhaka outer ring road project and Chattogram-Cox's Bazaar highway improvement project,' said an official.
But he said the multimodal transport hub at Kamalapur station is in good stage as the Kajima Corporation is now working on the design concept. PPPA also hired transaction advisor for the project to conduct the government's site study.
Besides, Japan has shown interest in operation and maintenance work of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as well as a project of Chattogram WASA.
Sources said Mitshubishi which is constructing the 3rd terminal of HSIA proposed to operate and maintain the terminal along with constructing the multimodal at airport station of Bangladesh Railway.
smunima@yahoo.com