DHAKA: Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrives here Saturday on a short visit when he will oversee Bangladesh signing a credit deal with India and also do the spadework for his premier’s tour.  

“Pranab would arrive in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon by a special plane. His visit will be short as he will stay for 4-5 hours,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

The Indian Finance Minister would join a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni and Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith at 5 pm and 5:25 pm respectively at state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka.

The meeting is expected to review implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi in January this year.

They would also attend the signing of a US$1 billion credit agreement between the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh and the EXIM Bank of India at 5.50 pm at the same venue, the spokesperson said.

The credit was announced for development of communications infrastructure of Bangladesh, mostly in railway sector, by Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during Sheikh Hasina’s visit.  

The three leaders would attend a press briefing on the outcome of Mukherjee’s Dhaka mission.

During his stay here, the Indian finance minister would call on PM Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban.

BDST: 1820 HRS AUG 5, 2010