Bangladesh and China Sign Deal for 9th Friendship Bridge to Boost Southern Connectivity
Published : 16:03, 11 June 2026
Bangladesh and China have signed an implementation agreement for the construction of the 9th Bangladesh–China Friendship Bridge, a major infrastructure project expected to transform road connectivity and economic activity in the country’s southern region.
The agreement was signed on Thursday (June 11) at the conference room of the Road Transport and Highways Division in Dhaka. Dr. Md. Mokhles Ali, Joint Secretary of the Foreign Aid Wing of the division, signed on behalf of Bangladesh, while Song Yang, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, signed on behalf of China.
The project includes the construction of a 2.62-kilometre transport corridor comprising a 1.348-kilometre main bridge over the Lohalia River and a 1.272-kilometre approach road.
The bridge will be built near the Baga ferry terminal on the Lebukhali–Bauphal–Galachipa–Amragachia regional highway in Patuakhali district. Residents and businesses in Bauphal, Galachipa, and Dashmina have long depended on ferry services for transportation and trade, often facing delays and logistical challenges.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to significantly improve travel, facilitate the transportation of agricultural and fisheries products, and strengthen regional economic integration.
Under the agreement, the Chinese government will provide grant financing for the construction of the bridge and its approach roads. The Bangladesh government will be responsible for land acquisition, utility relocation, and other administrative expenses related to the project.
The next phase involves preparing the detailed design through a specialized institution nominated by the Chinese government, while Bangladesh is moving forward with the preparation of the Development Project Proposal (DPP). Construction work is expected to begin after all necessary procedures are completed by both sides.
The signing ceremony was attended by Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, and senior officials from the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Roads and Highways Department (RHD), and other government agencies.
Officials believe the bridge will play a vital role in enhancing regional trade, improving transportation efficiency, and accelerating economic development across Bangladesh’s southern coastal districts.
