Dhaka:The Cabinet today approved a proposal to relocate the Bangladesh Secretariat to the former trade fair ground in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, with plans for government offices to begin operations at the new site by 2029.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the new Secretariat will be built on approximately 31.58 acres of land in Agargaon, following a master plan designed by the renowned architect Louis I. Kahn. The decision was made during the 25th Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the current Bangladesh Secretariat.
Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, speaking at a press briefing, stated that the project would be entirely funded by the government. The proposed complex, as per the conceptual design by the Department of Architecture, will feature fourteen 12-storey buildings with three basement levels, encompassing a total floor space of about 33.16 lakh square feet. Facilities will include parking for 3,800 vehicles, a mosque, two multipurpose halls, a cafeteria, and a post office. Approximately 30 percent of the area is designated for greenery and water bodies.
In addition, the Cabinet approved the renaming of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to Nari O Shishu Bishoyok Montronaloy and gave in principle and final approval to the draft Special Solar Power Installation Ordinance, 2026. This ordinance aims to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, decrease power sector subsidies, and bolster energy security while supporting sustainable development goals. The government has also announced incentives to install 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts of rooftop solar power capacity by next summer.