Bangladesh has decided to take time to pick the best offer over the construction of a deep seaport at Sonadia in Cox’s Bazar as a number of countries have shown interest in the lucrative mega project.
“Bangladesh has offers from other countries. We’ll compare the offers and pick the best one. To do it, we need time,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam told reporters at a press conference on Thursday.
China expected a positive outcome on its discussions with Bangladesh during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s China visit over the project. The Netherlands has also showed interest in providing financial and technical assistance for building a deep seaport in Bangladesh.
Shahriar said there will have no negative impact on relations with any country in the process of choosing one for building the deep seaport.
Responding to a question, he said there was no decision to reach a deal with China over the deep seaport during the Prime Minister’s visit.
The press conference was arranged at the Foreign Ministry to brief the media about the outcome of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s China visit. Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque was also present.
Before the visit, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali had said discussions on Chinese support for building a deep seaport could be held between the two countries during the tour.
Meanwhile, in his pre-departure interaction with journalists, Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jun had said there would be a positive outcome to deep seaport during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China. “I think there will be some outcomes — very positive outcome to the deep seaport.”
He also said China is open to forming a consortium with any country and is open to cooperate with any other partners outside, including Indian and Bangladesh companies.
Sonadia is located at very important location and it will not only benefit Bangladesh, but also India’s seven sisters, Myanmar and Southwest China will be benefited, he said.
The distance between Kunming and Chittagong is less than 1,000 kilometres whereas the distance from Kunming to its nearest seaport Guangzhou is 1,700 kilometres. China completed a feasibility study on the deep seaport in 2012.
On the construction of a multi-lane tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River, he said the MoU was signed at the ‘late hour’ and described the success as a rare one.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discussed the matter with the Chinese premier at a banquet event and she could convince them.
Later, he added, the Chinese premier directed the Finance and Commerce Ministers to arrange the signing of the deal, and it was signed at late night.
Responding to another question, the State Minister said the amount (in loans) of the deals and MoU signed with China would be around US$ 7 billion.
Source: UNB Connect
