Bangladeshi, Chinese firms sign joint venture pacts to build railway

DHAKA - Two Bangladeshi and two Chinese firms have signed two joint venture pacts to build over 100 km rail lines and required infrastructure in the country's southeastern Cox's Bazar district bordering Myanmar.

Officials of Bangladesh Railways and joint venture China Railway Group Limited (CREC) of China and Toma Construction and Company Limited of Bangladesh; and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and MAX JV (joint adventure of CCECC of China and MAX international Ltd of Bangladesh) signed the deals on behalf of their respective sides here on Saturday.

Bangladeshi Raiways Minister M. Mazibul Haque, among others, witnessed the agreement signing ceremony as the chief guest.

In line with the agreements, the Bangladeshi and the Chinese firms will construct 102 km new dual gauge line along with 185 major and minor bridges under two different projects.

A station building will also be constructed under the project in Cox's Bazar town.

Officials say the project is part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) support.

They said the Manila-based lender is helping Bangladesh set up double-track line between Dhaka and Chittagong and a fresh line on Dohazari-Cox's Bazar-Ghundum route, procure carriages and locomotives.

Railway officials said the project is scheduled to be completed in three years.