Bangladesh is implementing seven projects worth about $ 6.65 billion under the US$ 20 billion loan package from China while trying to strike deals on other projects, officials said.

Beijing has so far disbursed $1.54 billion loan against the projects, including the Padma Bridge rail link, the construction of a tunnel under the River Karnaphuli and the installation of single-point mooring (SPM) with double pipeline.

According to an update from the Foreign Aid Budget and Accounts Wing under the Economic Relations Division, the Padma Bridge Rail Link project has  received the highest $533.58 million among the seven projects.

The China Railway Group Limited, which is implementing the Padma Bridge rail link project, on Monday said that the first batch of steel girders for the project had arrived at the Chattogram Port from China.

The CRGL in a press release said that the arrival of the girders was a major progress for the timely implementation of the project as the production of steel beams was affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ERD is scheduled to hold a virtual review meeting today on the projects implemented and being implemented with Chinese loans and grants.

In 2016,  an MoU titled ‘Strengthening and Production Capacity Cooperation’ comprising 27 investment projects worth about US$ 20 billion was signed between Bangladesh and China during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Dhaka.

According to FABA Unit officials, the government is now waiting for Chinese approval for the loans to start the implementation of 16 more projects at an estimated cost of $10.55 billion.

In July, Bangladesh requested China to incorporate nine new projects in the $20 billion loan package, including the much-talked-about Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project.

It also asked China to drop previously proposed four projects, including the Dhaka–Sylhet Four Lane Highway Project and the extension of the existing underground mining operation of Barapukuria Coalmine.