$48m Kuwaiti loan deal for Lebukhali Bridge signed

FE ReportBangladesh has signed US$48 million loan deal with Kuwait Monday for constructing a 1.47-kilometre-long Labukhali Bridge to facilitate direct link between the capital and tourist spot Kuakata, officials said. Joint secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Mr. ATM Mustafa Kamal and legal adviser of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) Mr. Nawaf Almahamel signed the credit deal. The Kuwait Ambassador in Bangladesh Mr. Ahmed Al-Dhafiri was present at the function. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) will construct the four-lane Lebukhali Bridge on the Barisal-Patuakhali highway at a cost of $60.87 million (Tk4.57 billion). An ERD official said if the Lebukhali Bridge is constructed traffic movement to Bangladesh's second largest sea-beach Kuakata will be hassle-free and it will boost tourist growth there. Lack of bridge on the river Pori at Lebukhali point affects the smooth communications with the southern coastal greater Patuakhali districts and play negative role to the growth of tourists in Kuakata sea beach. The bridge will be 1470 metres long and about 17.5 metres wide, consisting of four lanes in each direction.