Padma Bridge Fund
China wants formal proposal
Chinese Ambassador Li Jun yesterday said his government would consider financing the Padma bridge project if Bangladesh formally approaches them.
The newly appointed ambassador made the remark after journalists raised questions at a press conference held Jatiya Press Club.
“We will consider it if the Bangladesh government makes a formal proposal about it (funding of Padma bridge) to us,” said Jun.
He said the Chinese government has not received any formal proposal from Bangladesh on funding the bridge.
However, the envoy suggested Bangladesh first settle the issue with the World Bank.
“We want Bangladesh to settle the dispute over Padma bridge funding with World Bank first,” Jun said using an interpreter.
He said World Bank has contributed a lot to the development of Bangladesh so it should settle the dispute through negotiation.
Earlier on Wednesday, Finance Minister AMA Muhith put forward a proposal on financing the Padma bridge to the Chinese Ambassador when Li Jun met him at his Secretariat office.
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