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Japanese construction company Miyagawa Kensetsu Construction Ltd has expressed interest in building two major bridges in southern Bangladesh under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with a combined estimated cost of Tk33,423 crore ($3.44 billion).
The proposed Bhola-Barishal Bridge and Shariatpur-Chandpur Bridge are expected to transform regional connectivity, boost trade and investment, and accelerate economic growth in the southern region. The government aims to complete the projects by 2033, while bearing the cost of land acquisition under PPP arrangements.
The Japanese company shared its interest during the 8th Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform Meeting held in Dhaka on Wednesday, according to officials from the Bangladesh Bridge Authority and the PPP Authority.
During the meeting, the two bridge projects were formally included as priority initiatives under the Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform, reflecting both countries’ commitment to advancing major infrastructure development through public-private partnerships.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both governments. Bangladesh was represented by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, PPP Authority CEO Ashik Chowdhury, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan.
The Japanese delegation included senior officials from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi, and Special Adviser to the Japanese Prime Minister UNO Yoshimasa.
Japan’s MLIT had earlier selected Miyagawa Kensetsu Construction Ltd for the proposed Bhola-Barishal Bridge project. Officials said the company may implement the projects independently or in partnership with other Japanese firms.
Before final selection, a transaction adviser will conduct a feasibility study, after which the government will invite proposals from qualified firms through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The final agreement will be signed after evaluating the submitted proposals.
Stallion Capital Ltd is supporting Miyagawa as its local partner in Bangladesh. Chairman Sayeed Ibrahim Ahmed said the Bhola-Barishal Bridge could create new opportunities for industry, employment, and economic development in the southern region.
The Bhola-Barishal Bridge, estimated to cost Tk17,466 crore, will be the larger of the two projects. The proposed 10.86-kilometre bridge is expected to become the longest bridge in Bangladesh, providing a permanent road connection between island district Bhola and Barishal on the mainland.
A feasibility study conducted in 2024 projected that the bridge would attract investment, generate employment, support economic activity, and contribute 0.86% to GDP over 30 years. It will also help connect Bhola’s natural gas resources to the national grid.
The Shariatpur-Chandpur Bridge will be an 8-kilometre structure over the Meghna River, with an estimated cost of Tk15,957 crore.
The bridge will directly connect 21 south-western districts with 11 south-eastern districts, providing an alternative to ferry services and reducing travel time. It is expected to shorten the distance between Khulna and Chattogram by around 90 kilometres, reducing pressure on Dhaka’s roads.
The project is planned between Horina Ferry Ghat in Chandpur and Sakhipur in Shariatpur, with completion targeted for 2032.
Japan also expressed strong interest in the proposed Bhola-Lakshmipur Bridge, which Bangladesh presented during the PPP meeting.
Officials said the bridge across the Meghna River could significantly improve transport links for 21 districts, including areas in the Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions. The project is expected to boost regional trade, connectivity, and economic growth.
PPP Authority CEO Ashik Chowdhury said the Bangladesh-Japan PPP Platform has become an effective mechanism for attracting quality investment and delivering major infrastructure projects.
The meeting concluded with both countries pledging to strengthen cooperation, speed up priority projects, create employment opportunities, and support Bangladesh’s long-term economic development.
The Japanese delegation also proposed adding a Waste-to-Energy project in Chattogram City under the PPP platform and discussed possible cooperation in upgrading Bangladesh’s ageing railway bridges with Japanese technical support.
The meeting also reviewed progress on several ongoing PPP initiatives, including the Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Terminal 3 operations, the Outer Ring Road Project, and local bridge improvement projects.