Dhaka, Aug. 23 -- The government is targeting a soft opening of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16, said newly promoted Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat has said.

"Japanese companies set to submit bids on August 25 and after a detailed evaluation, the government expects to sign an agreement by mid-September and the authorities would then have around three and a half months to complete the work," he told reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, his first working day after assuming charge of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.

However, he said the deadline could be extended by another one or two months if necessary to ensure the quality of the work.

The government pla...