Qatar eyes role in $2.9bn Bangladeshi bridge

Qatar is keen to invest in Bangladesh's major projects, including the contruction of the stalled $2.9bn Padma bridge, it was reported on Monday. The Gulf state is also interested in a power project, airport upgrade, river dredging and a manpower training institute, Bangladeshi daily The Daily Star reported. When completed, the Padma Bridge will be the largest bridge in Bangladesh and the first fixed river crossing for road traffic. It will connect Louhajong, Munshiganj to Shariatpur and Madaripur, linking the south-west of the country, to northern and eastern regions. The paper said Bangladesh is negotiating with Qatar for funds for the construction of Padma bridge, quoting Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, who led Bangladesh in a meeting with a 10-member delegation from Qatar led by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Jabr Al Thani, assistant minister for international cooperation affairs. "We have already signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia. If it is feasible, acceptable and agreed by all the parties, we can have a tripartite agreement,” Moni was quoted as saying. The Padma bridge project has stalled, as the World Bank, the lead co-financier, raised allegations of corruption. Bangladesh is also talking to Qatar about a 1,000 megawatt LNG-based power plant to be built at the cost of $1.3bn, the construction of a third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and construction of a cargo village costing $405m. From Arabian Business