Skip to main content

World Bank cancel US$1.2bn Padma Bridge loan

A loan worth US$1.20billion for the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project has been cancelled by the World Bank (WB). The decision was said to have been taken as the Bank was not satisfied with the actions taken by the Bangladeshi government in regards to corruption allegations involving the bridge contract. A major engineering and construction company is alleged to have made improper payments to Bangladeshi government officials in order to secure the bridge contract. The World Bank loan, signed In April last y
July 6, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSA loan worth US$1.20billion for the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project has been cancelled by the 2332 World Bank (WB).

The decision was said to have been taken as the Bank was not satisfied with the actions taken by the 1043 Bangladeshi Government in regards to corruption allegations involving the bridge contract. A major engineering and construction company is alleged to have made improper payments to Bangladeshi government officials in order to secure the bridge contract.

The World Bank loan, signed In April last year, was part of a funding package for construction of the US$2.9 billion bridge which, on completion, would have been be the country's longest.

Funding also was expected from the 943 Asian Development Bank, the 2416 Japan International Cooperation Agency and the 2417 Islamic Development Bank.

The bridge was intended to link the country's underdeveloped southwestern districts with Dhaka, the capital, benefiting 30 million people and boosting Bangladesh's economy by 1.2%, according to a forecast by the Asian Development Bank.
The World Bank first brought the corruption allegations in October last year.

Western world companies face tight legislation with regard to alleged improper payments, making the practice largely eradicated.

Related Content

  • International interest in key Vietnam link
    April 27, 2012
    Vietnam's Transport Ministry is well on track with its plans for the design and construction of the Danang-Quang Ngai Expressway. This 139km highway will link Tuy Loan Town in Hoa Vang District of Danang and the west side of Quang Ngai City.
  • Ecuador: Road contracts to World Bank blacklisted firm
    June 1, 2012
    Ecuador’s Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MTOP) has signed a contract with World Bank blacklisted China Road and Bridges Corp (CRBC) to carry out road projects worth a combined US$55.52million. CRBC has been blacklisted by the World Bank since January 2009 for acts of corruption in the Philippines. It means CRBC cannot enter any tenders which involve WB funds until 12 January, 2017. CRBC will also take part in the Manta port tender, which will be awarded in January 2013.
  • Albanian road investment
    May 15, 2012
    The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing major funding in Albania’s road network. A loan worth €53 million will help pay for the construction of the new Fier and Vlore bypasses. This loan will aid further development of the Albanian road network and boosting economic integration in the country by co-financing the construction of the two bypass roads, located in south-western Albania. The EBRD loan is structured in two tranches and will be used by the Albanian Road Authority t
  • Ukraine’s shattered highways
    July 26, 2024
    With no end to its war with Russia in sight, Ukraine is also fighting hard to cope with a growing backlog of major infrastructure projects, especially in terms of rebuilding the country’s roads and bridges. David Arminas reports.