DHAKA -- The Chinese government will provide Bangladesh grant assistance of 300 million RMB (about $50 million) for construction of the 8th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge.

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

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 8th friendship bridge will be constructed on Kocha River in southern Bangladesh.

The length of the bridge will be 1400 meters 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 is operated on the river which requires more than 1 hour to cross it.

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