Dhaka: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today sanctioned five projects with an estimated total expenditure of Taka 5,915.99 crore. Among these, a significant allocation of Taka 5,152.55 crore is earmarked for enhancing the sewerage system in Chattogram’s catchment areas 2 and 4.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the approvals were granted during an ECNEC meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Of the total project costs, Taka 1,095.94 crore will be sourced from the Government of Bangladesh, Taka 4,787.50 crore from project assistance, and Taka 32.55 crore from the respective organization’s own funds. The approved projects include two new initiatives and three revised ones.
Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, during a post-meeting briefing, highlighted the need for policy adjustments in project execution. He emphasized the interim government’s efforts to eliminate corruption and irregularities in
development projects and expressed a commitment to accelerate their implementation. Discussions in the meeting also revolved around launching innovative projects in human resources, education, and essential infrastructure.
Dr. Mahmud noted the low implementation rate of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) in the initial four months of the current fiscal year (FY25), suggesting a potential reduction in ADP due to various factors. He assured that all Ministries and Divisions would soon receive directives from the Planning Commission to expedite ongoing projects while avoiding corruption.
Furthermore, Dr. Mahmud mentioned plans to personally communicate with advisers about development project execution. He projected that sectors like education might receive higher allocations at the fiscal year’s end, particularly for educational, scientific, and research materials and equipment. He also expressed optimism about the private sector’s potential contributions to economic growth if stability is achieved.
Other
projects approved include the 1st revised extension and strengthening of the eastern region grid network, adding Taka 459.95 crore, capacity building of Bangladeshi universities to foster youth entrepreneurship with Taka 93.50 crore, 1st revised modern waste and oil removal management at Mongla Port, adding Taka 110.15 crore, and the 2nd revised emergency multi-sector Rohingya Crisis response project, adding Taka 99.84 crore. Additionally, the ECNEC meeting extended the duration of two projects without increasing their budgets.