The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is keen on investing in six mega infrastructure projects of Bangladesh. It wants to consider investing under the 37th Official Development Assistance (ODA) of Japan. A nine-member appraisal team of JICA will be arriving in Dhaka. It will discuss confirmation of cost estimates, scope, schedule of the projects in keeping with the recommendations of the feasibility study and mutually agree on the outline of the framework of the projects. The team will hold talks the ministries concerned on December 9 and 10.
The schemes that JICA wants to incorporate under the 37th ODA are Cross-border Road Network Improvement Project (Bangladesh), the Jamuna Railway Bridge Construction Project, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (II), Energy Efficiency and Conservation Promotion Financing Project, Disaster Risk Management Project, Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project (II). JICA wrote to the Government of Bangladesh, asking it to take the initiative to discuss the projects. "At the end of the mission, we hope to sign the minutes of the discussion to fix the basic framework of the projects, as well as actions to be taken by both sides for approval of the projects." JICA said the projects are still subject to the consideration of the Government of Japan and nothing in this letter should be understood as implying a commitment of the Agency to extend loans for the projects. According to officials of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), JICA is interested in investing in mega projects in Bangladesh, and for this it wants to hold talks with the ministries concerned. The officials said if the Agency invests in these projects, it would boost the economy of Bangladesh, as the government is always positive about JICA’s investment.
According to the JICA website, it is keen on investing in the Cross-border Road Network Improvement Project as it would improve the national and regional transportation and logistics network, thereby contributing to the economic growth of Bangladesh and South Asia. Regarding the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Promotion Financing Project, JICA said the project is to promote efficient use of energy in Bangladesh by introducing and disseminating energy-efficient equipment through concessional loan, technical support, incorporating the latest technical trends in energy efficiency, creating awareness and thereby contributing to balance energy demand-supply and check climate change.
About the Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project, JICA finds that the project is to achieve stable electricity supply in Bangladesh by constructing a coal-fired power plant and related facilities in the Chittagong region, thereby contributing to the sustainable economic growth of Bangladesh. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the Matarbari 2X600 MW Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Plant project, which is one of the largest projects in the country’s power sector, involving Tk. 35,984.46 crore, aimed at boosting power generation significantly.