MoU signed for building tunnel under Karnaphuli

Dhaka and Beijing have signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction of a multilane tunnel under the Karnaphuli river.
Following the summit-level meeting headed by the premiers of Bangladesh and China, the two sides signed six deals on Monday.
The two sides also inked a deal on economic and technical cooperation between China and Bangladesh. Under the agreement, Dhaka would receive 300 million renminbi, about Tk 373.7 crore, every year.
A deal was signed on a joint venture between China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation and North-West Power Generation Company Ltd to set up a 1,320 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Patuakhali at an estimated cost of $3 billion.
Another memorandum of understanding on creation of a Chinese Economic and Investment Zone in Chittagong was inked.
The two sides also had two Exchanges of Letters on the second batch of calamity rescue equipment and a feasibility study of flood prevention and management in Bangladesh.
Although Beijing picked up two out of six mega projects proposed by Dhaka during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit, it would consider providing support for the other projects.
Dhaka had sought soft loan and grant support for the construction of Rajshahi Wasa Surface Water Treatment Plant, construction of the second railway/road bridge over the Karnaphuli, construction of a new dual gauge railway line from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Gundum near Bangladesh-Myanmar border, and national ICT network for Bangladesh government (Phase-III). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also sought Chinese support for establishment of Eastern Refinery Unit-2 and Single Point Mooring Project.
Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haq told the media that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had assured of taking necessary steps in this regard. Keqiang had asked his commerce minister to prepare necessary methodologies for implementing the projects, he added.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association yesterday signed an MoU with Orion International Holding Company of China for the development of a Garment Village in Bangladesh. Orion will build the village at Gazaria of Munshiganj.
BGMEA President Atiqul Islam and Orion CEO Tang Xiaoji signed the MoU in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.