BANGLADESH

Japan will fund the purchase of 11 locomotives for Bangladesh Railway, Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain said on Monday.

After a meeting with a four-member transport sector delegation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) led by director Tomohide Ichiguchi, the minister said Bangladesh was further expecting $1.7 billion from Japan to construct metro rail in Dhaka.

Referring to Japan as an ‘old friend’ of Bangladesh, Abul said Japan is also helping Bangladesh to upgrade the Lakshm-Chinki Astana single rail track into the four lanes.

“A contract will be signed soon in this regard,” he told reporters at his secretariat office.

Furthermore, Japan will provide $18 million for the Eastern Bridge Project under the Roads and Highways Department, he added.

Communications Secretary Mozammel Haq Khan, Rail Division Secretary Ebadat Ali and Director General of Bangladesh Railway Abu Taher were present present at the meeting.