Business Desk:
A significant Implementation Agreement has been signed between Bangladesh and China for the construction of the 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge with the aim of developing the road connectivity system in the southern region and further energizing regional economic activities.
Today, Thursday (June 11, 2026), at the agreement signing ceremony held at the conference room of the Road Transport and Highways Department, Dr. Md. Mokshed Ali, NDC, Joint Secretary (Foreign Assistance Branch) of the Road Transport and Highways Department on behalf of Bangladesh and Mr. Song Yang, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, signed the agreement on behalf of the Chinese government. Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Department Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque and H.E. Mr. Yao Wen, Honorable Ambassador of China to Bangladesh were present at the ceremony. Senior representatives from the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Road Transport and Highways Department and the Chinese government also participated in the program.
The proposed 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge will be built on the Lohalia River at the 14th kilometer of the Lebukhali-Baufal-Golachipa-Amaragachhia District Highway (Z-8806) in Patuakhali district, downstream of the Bogha Ferry Ghat. For a long time, lakhs of people and traders of Baufal, Galachipa and Dashmina upazilas have been dependent on the Bogha Ferry Ghat for transporting agricultural products, fisheries and daily necessities. Once the bridge is constructed, the travel of the people of this region will be easier, faster and safer. The total length of the project is about 2.62 kilometers. This includes a main bridge of about 1.348 kilometers and a connecting road of about 1.272 kilometers. The Chinese government will provide the necessary financial grant for the construction of the main bridge and approach road under the project. On the other hand, the Bangladesh government will bear the land acquisition, utility transfer and other ancillary costs.
In the next step of signing the agreement, the organization designated by the Chinese government will complete the preparation and finalization of the detailed design of the bridge. At the same time, the process of preparing the project’s development project proposal (DPP) is also progressing. After the completion of the necessary procedures, the construction of the bridge will begin. If the 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge is built, there will be a revolutionary change in the road communication system of the southern region. Travel costs and time will be significantly reduced, transportation of goods will be easier and new possibilities will be opened for the development of agriculture, fisheries, trade and tourism sectors. At the same time, the bridge will make a significant contribution to the overall socio-economic development of the southern region and the national economy.
