Bangladeshi Minister: Decision on Malaysia proposal in a week

The Bangladesh government will release a statement in a week on whether to accept Malaysia's proposal to build the Padma bridge, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said.

The minister disclosed this at a pre-budget meeting with the editors of national dailies and electronic media at his ministry in the afternoon, Bangladesh's The Daily Star reported.

Muhith also said the government will allocate Tk68.52 billion (Tk100=RM3.82) in the upcoming budget for the construction of the bridge.

A total Tk10.05 billion has been allocated for the project during the current fiscal year, he said, adding Tk23 billion has already been spent for the much talked about project, said the report.

Malaysia is awaiting a formal response from the Bangladesh government about its US$2.3 billion investment proposal to build the bridge.