DHAKA, June 11: The US will play a helpful role in the construction of Padma bridge and convey its usefulness to the World Bank soon, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozena said on Monday.

“We will convey the usefulness of Padma bridge to the World Bank management soon,” the US envoy told reporters after a meeting with Finance Minister AMA Muhith at the latter’s secretariat office in Dhaka.

He said Bangladesh should talk to the WB, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan to find a way to move forward to building the bridge.

“The Bangladesh government, WB, ADB and Japan should work together so that the bridge can be constructed because it is essential for the country,” Mozena said.

He said the bridge will facilitate trade with India and Nepal. The bridge is needed for linking the country with Mongla Port and Benapole Port, he added.

Mozena also said both Bangladesh and the US are very close to signing the Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ticfa).

“The Ticfa is not agreed yet. But we are almost at the final stage for signing the Ticfa. We are waiting for amending a few words in the agreement,” he said adding that he is flying to the US on ties to convey the latest situation of the Ticfa to the Obama administration.

Bangladesh government has already prepared the Ticfa and the draft might be finalised after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina nods.

The Ticfa promises to protect investments, remove obstacles in bilateral trade and create a forum for discussing issues relating to trade and investment.

After the meeting, Muhith said the government will take the final decision regarding the construction of Padma bridge within next month.