China-Built Offshore Runway Project to Boost Economic Development in Bangladesh

A launch ceremony for the construction of the first offshore airport runway expansion project in Bangladesh was held in the Cox's Bazar region on Aug 29.

Constructed by a consortium made up of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Changjiang Yichang Waterway Bureau, the project was signed on Feb 9 and will have a construction period of 33 months.

Drawing on a design concept borrowed from the third runway of the Hong Kong International Airport, the runway will stretch 3,300 meters long, making it possible for many kinds of large civilian aircraft to take off and land.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the launch ceremony via video link and delivered a speech, saying that the project is one of several livelihood projects promised by the previous government, adding that her government hopes to turn Bangladesh into an international aviation hub and boost regional economic growth.

At the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said China and Bangladesh have achieved success in infrastructure construction and other fields under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

He said the project will greatly promote tourism and economic development in Cox's Bazar.

Li also expressed confidence that the Chinese consortium will deliver a high-quality project to the Bangladeshi government and its people.

(Executive editor: Niu Yilin)