Japan Eyes $3.4 Billion PPP Investment for Two Major Bridges in Southern Bangladesh

Japanese construction company Miyagawa Kensetsu Construction Ltd has expressed strong interest in building the Bhola-Barishal Bridge and the Shariatpur-Chandpur Bridge under Bangladesh's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, marking a significant step toward expanding transport infrastructure in the country's southern region.

The two bridge projects carry a combined estimated investment of Tk33,423 crore, equivalent to approximately $3.4 billion. While the private sector is expected to finance construction under the PPP model, the Bangladesh government will be responsible for land acquisition costs.

The company's interest was formally conveyed during the 8th Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform Meeting held in Dhaka, where both bridge projects were officially included as priority initiatives under the bilateral cooperation platform.

Senior government officials from Bangladesh and Japan attended the meeting, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening infrastructure collaboration through PPP investments. Bangladeshi representatives included 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 was led by senior officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Japanese Embassy.

Miyagawa Kensetsu Construction Ltd had previously been selected by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for the proposed Bhola-Barishal Bridge project. Officials said the company could implement the projects independently or in partnership with other Japanese firms.

Before construction can begin, the government will appoint a transaction adviser to conduct a detailed feasibility study. A formal Request for Proposal (RFP) will then be issued to qualified firms, followed by proposal evaluation and the signing of a final agreement.


Stallion Capital Ltd is serving as Miyagawa's local partner, assisting with investment planning and project implementation in Bangladesh. Company officials said the proposed bridges would create new opportunities for economic development, industrial expansion, and employment throughout the southern region.

The Bhola-Barishal Bridge, estimated to cost Tk17,466 crore, will span approximately 10.86 kilometres, making it the longest bridge in Bangladesh upon completion. The project is expected to establish a permanent road connection between Bhola and Barishal, stimulate investment, create jobs, and facilitate the transmission of natural gas from Bhola to the national grid. Authorities aim to complete the bridge by 2033.

The Shariatpur-Chandpur Bridge, with an estimated cost of Tk15,957 crore, will stretch around eight kilometres across the Meghna River. The bridge is expected to directly connect 21 south-western districts with 11 south-eastern districts, replacing ferry dependence and reducing the travel distance between Khulna and Chattogram by nearly 90 kilometres. Completion is targeted for 2032.

Bangladesh also presented the proposed Bhola-Lakshmipur Bridge during the meeting, with Japanese officials expressing interest in the project due to its potential to improve regional connectivity, strengthen trade, and accelerate economic development in southern Bangladesh.

In addition to bridge projects, the Japanese delegation proposed developing a Waste-to-Energy project in Chattogram City under the joint PPP platform and discussed upgrading Bangladesh's ageing railway bridges through Japanese technical assistance.

The Bangladesh-Japan Joint PPP Platform also reviewed progress on several ongoing flagship infrastructure projects, including the Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Terminal 3 operation and maintenance, the Outer Ring Road Project, and the Local Bridge Improvement Project under the Roads and Highways Department.

Both governments concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to accelerating strategic infrastructure investments, strengthening regional connectivity, creating employment opportunities, and supporting Bangladesh's long-term sustainable economic growth.