Talks 'far away' but it claims ongoing

While Malaysia yesterday claimed that it was having final discussions with Bangladesh on financing the Padma bridge project, relevant government officials in Dhaka said such discussions were still far away.
Quoting special envoy to India and South Asia Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, Malaysian official news agency Bernama reported that the final round of discussions on the RM 6.6 billion Padma multi-purpose bridge project was being held in Bangladesh.
“We expect a very favourable answer soon,” Samy Vellu told Bernama.
When The Daily Star contacted a senior official of the communications ministry's Bridges Division, he said, “We are now exchanging information with Malaysia through emails to remove the inconsistencies in the country's financial offer. They gave us some clarifications but we are seeking further clarity.”
He said the Bridges Division would prepare a summary on the Malaysian offer for the high-ups in the government. “Discussions will begin once the government instructs us to go ahead with the proposal,” said the official, seeking anonymity.
He said no Malaysian team visited Dhaka in recent times. Officials of the finance ministry, Bridges Division and Economic Relations Division will be engaged in negotiations with Malaysia, he added.
Malaysia last year formally proposed to finance the US$ 2.9 billion Padma bridge. But the Bridges Division could not evaluate the proposal as it was full of loopholes and inconsistencies.
Malaysia did not also reply to queries made by the Bridges Division for the removal of the loopholes.
However, Malaysia started communicating with the Bridges Division last month assuming that World Bank would not provide the loan.