Bangladesh, Japan agree on new infrastructure projects under PPP platform

Bangladesh and Japan have agreed to advance a new slate of infrastructure projects and expedite the implementation of several ongoing strategic initiatives under their joint Public-Private Partnership (PPP) platform, aiming to strengthen regional connectivity and attract sustainable investment.

The decisions were taken at the 8th Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform Meeting, held in the capital on Wednesday (July 30), with Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar attending as chief guest.

The meeting brought together senior officials from both countries, including PPP Authority Chief Executive Officer Ashik Chowdhury, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan Uno Yoshimasa, and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi.

Participants reviewed the progress of several flagship projects, including the Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub, the operation and maintenance of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's Terminal-3, the Outer Ring Road, and the Local Bridge Development Project under the Roads and Highways Department.

The two sides agreed to move forward with the revised master plan for the Kamalapur Transport Hub and expedite the remaining contractual processes for Terminal-3. They also decided to monitor progress regularly through the joint PPP platform.

To enhance connectivity and boost economic activity in southern Bangladesh, the meeting approved the inclusion of the Shariatpur-Chandpur Bridge and Barishal-Bhola Bridge projects under the PPP framework.

The discussions also highlighted the proposed Waste-to-Energy Project of the Chattogram City Corporation, the Bhola-Lakshmipur Bridge, and the rehabilitation of ageing railway bridges with Japanese technical assistance.

PPP Authority CEO Ashik Chowdhury said the Bangladesh-Japan PPP partnership has evolved into a trusted cooperation platform that plays a vital role in attracting quality foreign investment into the country's infrastructure sector.

In his closing remarks, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring the timely implementation of priority PPP projects, describing them as key to accelerating Bangladesh's infrastructure development and economic growth.