Bangladesh indebted to China for friendship bridges, eyes more infrastructure projects

Funding for the sizable project comprised around 26 million US dollars, of which China contributed 17 million US dollars in grants and interest free loans, while Bangladesh picked up the rest of the hefty tab for the bridge, which boasts a span of more than 150 meters and mainly facilitates Dhaka and its adjacent Narayanganj and Munshiganj districts.

Hira Montaz, a member of the Munshiganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Xinhua recently that entire economic condition of the region has improved notably as a result of the bridge.

"The business situation as a result of the bridge has improved a lot. And, therefore, albeit indirectly, the entire country also benefits from this bridge," said Montaz.

According to the leading businessman, it now takes only about one hour to reach Dhaka by bus from Munshiganj thanks to the bridge.

This compares to up to a 2-hour wait for a ferry to cross the river in the past, Montaz added.

"We can never repay the kindness shown to us by the Chinese government. We're deeply indebted to China for this bridge, which has removed all of our business and communication inconveniences. China is indeed a very close friend," said Montaz, also a proprietor of Baishaki Banija Bitan, which trades rice.

"We expect more and more Bangladesh-China cooperation in various fields in the future and hope China supports Bangladesh in its efforts to develop infrastructure in future," he added.

BM Ruhul Amin, a resident of Malrpahtor village, said people can now go anywhere in the country including Dhaka and its adjacent Narayanganj town on the side of the river whenever they choose, thanks to China building the bridge.