Malaysia to fund Bangladesh bridge project

Mexico Star (IANS) Sunday 5th February, 2012

Malaysia will loan $3 billion to Bangladesh to construct a river bridge, a minister said Sunday.

Bangladeshi Communications Minister Obaidul Quader told reporters a memorandum of understanding on this will be signed in Kuala Lumpur Feb 21.

The announcement comes after Malaysian envoy Samy Vellu informed the minister about his government's interest in the Padma river bridge project.

A high-level delegation from that country is expected to arrive here Feb 20 to sign the deal, Xinhua reported.

The bridge will help connect nearly 30 million people in Bangladesh's southwest region to the rest of the country and also enhance regional trade.