China interested in supporting Teesta project from planning stage, says PMO advisor

He says a joint feasibility study is needed before work can move forward

China has expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh’s Teesta Barrage project, according to Mahdi Amin, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office.

Mahdi, who is also an advisor to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, briefed reporters at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Thursday evening after talks between Tarique and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang.

He said China had shown interest in remaining involved in the project from the design and planning stages through to implementation.

“Their government has expressed interest in being involved in our project design, planning and execution,” Mahdi said.

He said a joint feasibility study would be necessary before the project could move forward.

“China wants to work with Bangladesh on such a major project through a joint feasibility study,” he said, adding that Bangladesh could also draw on Chinese expertise in water resources management and sewage systems.

Mahdi said the leaders of the two countries had reached a broad understanding on the issue.

Tarique and Li met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing at 5pm local time and discussed several areas of cooperation during talks that lasted about 45 minutes.

The two sides later signed 13 cooperation agreements covering investment, trade, education and media collaboration.