Two foreign firms submit proposals for DEE

A Thai firm and a Bangladesh-Korea joint venture have shown interest to build US$ 2.0 billion Dhaka elevated expressways (DEE), the country’s first biggest infrastructure project under public-private-partnership (PPP).

Out of four short-listed companies, two firms came up with their final proposals to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) as the last day of RFP submission closed today (Tuesday).

They are Ital-Thai Development Company Ltd of Thailand and Sikder Real Estate along with KCC of South Korea.

Two other short listed companies-Gammon-Bougyes JV (India-France) and China Railway International Ltd (China) -backed away at last minute, although they participated in the pre-bid meetings with the authority twice.

The DEE expert committee headed by Jamilur Reza Chowdhury received the proposals from the representatives of the companies at the BBA conference room.

“We are happy with the response from the bidders,” said Bridge Division secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan.

He said the DEE is the government’s potentially first case under PPP.

Mr Bhuiyan, also executive director of BBA, said his agency would complete the evaluation process of the proposals in few weeks to meet the government’s target to start the construction by January next.

The BBA aims to complete the alignment from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kutubkhali of Chittagong Highway by 2013.

AECOM Australia Ltd and BBA finalised the alignment assessing the five routes in August, which will cross Kuril-Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon-Satrasta-Moghbazar-Rail corridor of Kamalapur through Khilgaon-Golapbag.

DEE project director Abdul Wadud told the FE both bidders have proven track record in constructing elevated expressways in many countries.

Representatives of Ital-Thai said the firm has worked in Bangladesh to construct Rupsha bridge with a Japanese partner and has experience in building expressways in India and Thailand.

Though Sikder Real Estate does not have such experience, its representative said its partner KCC has been working in at least 13 such big projects in various countries including in some European nations.

Source: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=118200&date=2010-11-24