WB's Goldstein meets Muhith on Padma bridge today

The World Bank may discuss funds for the Padma Bridge with the government today, officials of the finance ministry said.
WB Country Director Ellen Goldstein is expected to meet Finance Minister AMA Muhith at the secretariat. The discussion may focus on whether the lender will unblock the promised funds for the 6.15-kilometre-long bridge, officials said.
Bangladesh has signed agreements to borrow $1.2 billion from the WB, $615 million from the Asian Development Bank, $400 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and $140 million from the Islamic Development Bank to build the country's longest bridge.
In October, the WB suspended its financing for the project following allegations of corruption in river dredging, appointment of consultants and selection of pre-qualified contractors.
The bridge, expected to be complete by 2014 at a cost of $2.9 billion, will connect 19 southwestern districts with the capital.