The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 12 development projects with a total estimated cost of Tk 7,151 crore, entirely funded from the government’s own resources — marking the first time such a large batch of projects has been cleared without any foreign loans or grants.
The meeting was held on Monday at the NEC Conference Room in the Planning Commission premises, chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The committee approved nine new projects, two revised ones, and extended the duration of one project without increasing its cost. However, the proposed “Land Registration Management Automation” project under the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs was sent back for further review.
Among the key attendees were Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Law, Justice and Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, Home and Agriculture Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Industry and Housing Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Power, Energy, Roads and Railways Adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Environment and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Local Government and Youth Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Disaster Management and Liberation War Adviser Faruk E Azam (Bir Protik), and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, along with senior officials from various ministries.
Approved projects include:
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Rural Infrastructure Development in Manikganj and Satkhira Districts
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Small-Scale Irrigation System Improvement in Haor Areas of Kishoreganj and Netrakona
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Infrastructural Development of Gazipur Agricultural University
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Establishment of One Engineering College Each in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rangpur Divisions (2nd Revised)
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Construction of Independence Monument at Suhrawardy Udyan (3rd Phase) (1st Revised)
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Implementation of Incomplete Activities under the 4th Sector Program on Family Planning, Maternal, Child, and Reproductive Health
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Integrated Development Project for Strengthening Operations of the Directorate of Health Education, NIPORT, and Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery
Additionally, ECNEC members were briefed on nine other projects previously approved by the Planning Adviser. These include:
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Feasibility Study for Strengthening the Education Engineering Department and Multi-Tier Educational Institutions
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Development of Selected Non-Government Secondary Schools
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Preservation and Upgrading of Martyrs’ and Freedom Fighters’ Graveyards
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Basic Self-Defense Training Program for Youth
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Skill Development for Youth in Artificial Intelligence Technology
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Enhancing Climate Resilience through Coastal Forest Management
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Establishment of an Agricultural Research Center in Meherpur Sadar
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Infrastructure and Environmental Development Project for Dhaka City
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Enhancement of RAB’s Technical Capabilities
This round of approvals reflects the government’s focus on self-reliant national development, emphasizing education, infrastructure, health, environment, and innovation.
