Dhaka, June 11 -- Bangladesh and China have signed an agreement to construct the "9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge" in Patuakhali.

The implementation agreement was signed on Thursday at the Roads Transport and Highways Division conference room, according the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges.

The ministry said the initiative has been taken to upgrade transport links in the southern region and make regional economic activities more dynamic.

Md Moksed Ali, joint secretary (Foreign Aid Wing) of the Roads and Highways Division, signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh, while Counsellor Song Yang of the Chinese Embassy signed for China.

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Mohammad Ziaul Haque and Chinese Ambassado...