DHAKA: The Chinese company ‘Sinohydro Corporation’ has been given the river training works of Padma Multipurpose Bridge project.

The government signed an agreement of Tk 8,707 crore with the company in this regard at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Monday afternoon.

Project director Shafiqul Islam of Padma Multipurpose Bridge project on behalf of Bangladesh and deputy CEE lyu Liushan for Sinohydro Corporation signed the deal on behalf of their respective sides.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the last step of preparation has been completed through signing the deal.

The bridge project is the first in the country, which will require over $2 billion in foreign currency.

The government decided to fund the project on its own after the World Bank cancelled its 1.2 billion loan for the project in 2012 on grounds of a corruption conspiracy over the appointment of supervisory consultant.

BDST: 2133 HRS, NOV 10, 2014