Press Releases

Signing Ceremony

On March 29, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed loan agreements with the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Dhaka to provide Japanese ODA loans of up to a total of 165,319 million yen for the following three projects.

(1) Matarbari Port Development Project (II) (loan amount: 105,362 million yen)
(2) Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway Improvement Project (I) (loan amount: 55,729 million yen)
(3) Project for the Construction of Dual Gauge Double Line Between Joydebpur-Ishurdi Section (E/S) (loan amount: 4,228 million yen)

Details for the projects are provided below.

(1) Matarbari Port Development Project (II)
(a)Objective and Summary
The objective of the project is to strengthen the port’s cargo-handling capacity and to facilitate logistics operations with neighboring countries. It will do so by constructing a multipurpose deep-sea port for containers and general cargo in the Matarbari area of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram Division, thereby contributing to the economic development of Bangladesh. The project will also contribute to the achievement of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Goals 8 and 9.

(b) Executing Agency
1. Chittagong Port Authority
Address: Bandar Bhaban, Chittagong-4100, Bangladesh
Phone: +880-3-12510870, FAX: +880-3-12510889

2. Roads and Highways Department, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges
Address: Sarak Bhaban, Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh
Phone/FAX: +880-2-8879299

(c) Planned Implementation Schedule
1. Completion of project: January 2027 – when the facilities are put into service
2. Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including detailed design work): already hired
3. Tendering of announcement of initial procurement package for international competitive bidding on project construction
Procurement package title: Civil Works for the Port Construction
Release date: June 2022 (already issued)

(2) Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway Improvement Project (I)
(a)Objective and Summary
The objective of the project is to achieve the smooth transportation of cargo and improve access to Matarbari Port. It will do so by constructing flyovers and outer roads at major congested sections between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar along the National Highway 1, thereby contributing to the economic growth of the surrounding area and the improvement of logistics operations in Bangladesh. The project will also contribute to the achievement of SDGs Goals 3, 8, and 9.

(b) Executing Agency
Roads and Highways Department, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges
Address: Sarak Bhaban, Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh
Phone/FAX: +880-2-8879299

(c) Planned Implementation Schedule
1. Completion of project: November 2028 – when the facilities are put into service
2. Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including detailed design work): June 2023
3. Tendering of announcement of initial procurement package for international competitive bidding on project construction
Procurement package title: Construction of flyovers / outer roads
Release date: July 2024

(3) Project for the Construction of Dual Gauge Double Line Between Joydebpur-Ishurdi Section (E/S)
(a)Objective and Summary
The objective of the project is to enhance railway transportation capacity by double tracking the existing rail between Joydebpur and Ishurdi, thereby contributing to Bangladesh’s improved connectivity, both domestically and with neighboring nations. The project will also contribute to the achievement of SDGs Goals 9 and 13.

(b) Executing Agency
Bangladesh Railway
Address: Railbhaban, 16 Abdul Gani Road Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Phone: +880-2-9561200, FAX: +880-2-9565734

(c) Planned Implementation Schedule
1. Completion of project: March 2026 – with completion of the disbursement
2. Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including detailed design work): June 2023


Terms and Amounts of Loans

Project title	Amount (million yen)	Annual interest rate (%)		Repayment period (years)	Grace period (years)	Procurement
		Project	Consulting services
Matarbari Port Development Project (II)	105,362	1.20	0.01	30	10	General untied
Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway Improvement Project (I)	55,729	1.20	0.01	30	10	General untied
Project for the Construction of Dual Gauge Double Line Between Joydebpur-Ishurdi Section (E/S)	4,228	-	0.01	30	10	General untied