Dhaka, Apr 8 (IANS): The Chinese government will provide Bangladesh grant assistance of about $50 million for construction of the eighth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge.

In this connection an agreement was signed between Bangladesh and China on Thursday in capital Dhaka, Xinhua reported.

Bangladesh's Economic Relations Department (ERD) Secretary Mezbah Uddin and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ma Mingqiang signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

According to an ERD statement, the eighth friendship bridge will be constructed on Kocha river in Bangladesh.

The length of the bridge will be 1,400 metres and Bangladesh roads and highway department will carry out the project, it said.

The bridge will play an important role in accelerating movement of people and goods of Barisal and Khulna divisions, said the ERD.

Presently, it said, a ferry operates on the river which requires more than one hour to cross it.

The construction of the first Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, with a span of more than 917 metres in length, began in October 1986, and was completed in February 1989.

Seven more friendship bridges have been completed across Bangladesh since then.