Photo: Collected
Planning Minister MA Mannan alleged that Bangladesh does not get foreign loans if consultants are not hired for development projects.
He said, “A lot of money is spent into the consultation sector. Consultants are appointed to fulfill the lender’s terms and conditions.”
“Earlier, original books were available only after buying notes. Sellers would not have sold books if they did not buy notes from Banglabazar. Here also the situation is same,” said the minister, adding: “If the consultant is not hired, then the development partners will not give the loan.”
He said these things at the round table meeting titled “Investment for Infrastructure Development” organised by the International Chamber of Commerce, at the ballroom of Hotel Westin in the capital on Saturday (27 May).
The minister said that since Bangladesh takes loans at low interest, it has to accept many undue conditions.
“We take a loan and pay it back with interest. We have never failed. I will tell the development partners to reduce the conditions.”
Planning Minister emphasised the expansion of the railways, saying that this cost-effective sector needs to be upgraded.
He mentioned that Dhaka-Chittagong Railway is under construction for a double track, this will also be in consideration.
The Minister also emphasised a Circular Road surrounding Dhaka City.
However, he noted that the demand of the businesses regarding Dhaka-Chittagong elevated expressway and assured that he would try to forward this.
He said that in the last 10-12 years the government has taken huge amounts of infrastructure work and obviously people are getting the result.
ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman with the opening of Padma Bridge, completion of 55 kilometres Elevated Expressway from Gazipur connecting northwestern region of the country to Chattogarm, movement of traffic is expected to increase manifold.
But according to experts, the existing 4-lane highway will not be able to facilitate smooth movement of vehicles, he added.
He mentioned that the economic importance of this route is immense; considering Chittagong Port connectivity as an access point to the international market. It is also inevitable to consider a network with Matarbari economic hub of BIG-B, BCIM and potentials of connecting BIMSTEC & SASEC through Asian Highway.
TDM/SD
