Padma Bridge: External pressure led WB to cancel loan
Says PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has blamed external pressure for the cancellation of World Bank's $1.2 billion credit to finance the Padma Bridge.
"I regret that the World Bank moved away from funding this most important project [Padma Multipurpose Bridge] owing to external pressure," she said on Monday while addressing an informal interaction with WB's Board of Executive Directors in Washington DC.
Hasina, however, wished to look into the future of the partnership between Bangladesh and the multilateral lender.
The PM is now in Washington DC on a week-long official visit to the US mainly to take part in the celebration of the 50 years of partnership between Bangladesh and the WB.
"My presence here [at the WB HQ] signals that we maintain our trust in the World Bank."
"We are proud of our partnership and look forward to opening the next chapter."
She also presented WB President David Malpass with a painting of the Padma Bridge, which was opened on June 25 last year, during the signing of a $2.25-billion-dollar deal between Bangladesh and the WB to implement five projects.
"The construction of the 6.1km Padma Multipurpose Bridge with our own financial and technical resources is a sign of our economic maturity," she proudly said.
Tk 32,600 crore was spent for constructing the bridge.