Ecnec
4th HPNSP getting costlier by Tk 30,449cr; Ecnec clears
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday okayed the first revision of the 4th Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme (4th HPNSP) raising its cost by Tk 30,448.62 crore and extending the project deadline by one year till June 2023.
Ecnec approved a total of 11 development projects with the overall estimate cost of Tk 37,507 crore (counting only additional costs of four revised projects).
Read: Ecnec approves Tk 1803-cr project to fight flood, riverbank erosion
The approval came from the virtual Ecnec meeting, which was presided over by Encec chair and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from her official residence Ganobhaban. The other ministers and officials concerned were connected with the meeting from the NEC conference room.
“Today’s meeting approved 11 projects -- seven fresh and four revised ones— and the total estimated cost of Tk 37,507.22 crore,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Of the cost, Tk 36,023.91 crore will be drawn from government funds, while Tk 33.33 crore from Dhaka South City Corporation’s fund and the rest Tk 1,449.98 crore will come from foreign sources as project loans, he said.
According to the Planning Commission, the cost of the 4th HPNSP has now increased to Tk 145,934.99 crore from Tk 115,486.36 crore from the original layout.
Among the new seven projects, the largest one is ‘Construction of Primary Infrastructures for Sheikh Hasina Institute of Frontier Technology Project’ involving Tk 1503.32 crore, which will be implemented in Shibchar in Madaripur.
Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority under ICT Division will execute the project by December 2026 in order to develop the country’s first frontier technology-based specialised institute.
The major project operations include acquisition and development of 70.34 acres of land, providing higher trainings on different essential matters including IOT, big data or data science, forensic or cyber security, machine learning, block chain and chip design, construction of 7,742-sq metre administrative Bhaban, 43,287-sq metre research development Bhaban and also Business Centre, and 9,760-sq metre dormitory and 8,800-sq metre football ground with gallery.
The six other fresh projects include ‘Infrastructural Development of Mongla Commander Flotilla West (Comflot West)’ with estimated cost of Tk 699.94 crore; ‘Integrated Sanitation and Hygiene (Integrated Solid and Human Waste Management) in 10 Priority Cities of Bangladesh’ with Tk 559.68 crore; and ‘Waste Removal and Management in Dhaka South City Corporation Affiliated Area, Collection of Modern Vehicles used for Road Repairs and Easing traffic congestion through installation of Mechanized Parking’ with Tk 333.32 crore.
Read: Turning Bangladesh into digital economy: Ecnec clears Tk 2,542 cr project
The remaining new projects are ‘Modernisation of Chattogram, Cumilla and Mymensingh (Trishal) Military Farms’ with the cost of Tk 263.83 crore; ‘Smart Agriculture Card and Digital Agriculture (Pilot)’ with Tk 107.92 crore; and ‘Construction of Hostels/Dormitories for Doctors, Officers, Senior Staff Nurses and Trainees working at Azimpur Maternal and Child Health Training Institute, Dhaka’ with Tk 64.34 crore.
Three other revised projects approved in the meeting are Upgradation of Ashuganj River Port-Sarail-Dharkhar-Akhaura Land Port Highway to four lanes National Highway (1st revised) with Tk 5,791.60 crore (which was Tk 3,567.85 crore in the original project); Important Rural Infrastructure Development of Gopalganj District (2nd revised) with Tk 1,827.80 crore (Tk 1,123 crore in 1st revision and Tk 614.84 crore in original one); and Upgrading of Dhaka Water Supply Network (1st revised) with Tk 3,780 crore (Tk 3,182.30 crore in the original project).
Ecnec approves Tk 1803-cr project to fight flood, riverbank erosion
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved 10 projects, including a Tk 1,803-crore one, to minimise damages caused by flood and riverbank erosion in four districts -- Pabna, Sirajganj, Tangail and Manikganj.
The approval came from the Ecnec meeting presided over by Prime Minister and also Ecnec Chair Sheikh Hasina. She joined it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
The ministers and others concerned got connected from the NEC conference room in the city.
Read: City development: Ecnec clears Tk 2,490 cr for Chattogram
“Today the meeting approved a total of 10 projects, including five revised ones, with the overall estimated cost of Tk 4,621.34 crore (only additional costs of five projects were counted here),” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters.
Of the cost, Tk 3,055.21 crore will come from government funds and the remaining Tk 1,566.13 from foreign sources, he said.
Talking about Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program (Project-2) involving Tk 1,803.06 crore, he said Bangladesh Water Development Board implemented the project by December 2025.
According to the project factsheet of the Planning Commission, Tk 1329.77 crore will come as loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), while Tk 151.56 crore from the Netherlands government as project assistance. And the rest will come from government funds.
The project will be executed in Bera, Shahjadpur, Belkuchi, Chouhali, Tangail Sadar, Nagarpur, Daulatpur, Harirampur and Shibalaya upazilas of the four districts -- Pabna, Sirajganj, Tangail and Manikganj.
The main objectives of the project include improving the livelihood of the people living in the vicinity of the Jamuna and Padma rivers, developing flood and riverbank risk management through structural changes and enhancing institutional capacity and reducing riverbank erosion.
Its major operations include 30-km riverbank protection, 7.9-km dam construction, 40-km adaptation work, 6-km emergency work and 3-km dam management.
The other new projects are Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC) Office Establishment in Gopalganj, Sunamganj, Barishal, Rangpur, Jamalpur and Jashore with a cost of Tk 1,132.61 crore and Urea Formaldehyde -85 (UF-85) Plant Establishment involving Tk 724.30 crore, Sylhet Region’s Agricultural Development through modern technology with Tk 200.54 crore and Climate Smart Agriculture and Water Management (CSAWM) (DAE Part) with a fund of Tk 106.08 crore.
Read: Turning Bangladesh into digital economy: Ecnec clears Tk 2,542 cr project
The five revised projects are Netrakona-Bishiura-Iswarganj Road Development (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 220 crore (now cost Tk 481.20 crore), Construction of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Bhaban (1st revision) with additional cost of Tk 59 crore (now cost Tk 261.86 crore), Construction of 16 Regional Passport Offices (1st revision) with additional cost of Tk 31 crore (now cost of Tk 128.40 crore and construction of 17 regional passport offices and vertical extension of 4 passport offices).
Two other revised projects are Sheikh Hasina Cantonment Barishal Establishment (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 331 crore (now cost of Tk 2030.10 crore), Widening the Approach Road and development of other necessary infrastructure of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Gazipur (3rd revised) with an additional cost of Tk 43 crore (now its cost is Tk 282.06 crore).
Turning Bangladesh into digital economy: Ecnec clears Tk 2,542 cr project
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday cleared the ‘Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE)’ project involving a huge amount of Tk 2541.64 crore, aiming to turn Bangladesh into a digital economy.
Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division will implement the project in the country by December 2026 with the World Bank’s finance of Tk 2507.05 crore and the government’s finance of Tk 34.59 crore.
The approval of 10 projects placed by eight ministries came from the Ecnec meeting held with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Read: Govt to spend Tk 4,167cr on 10 projects, Ecnec gives nod
The PM joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others were concerned from the NEC conference room in the city.
“A total of 10 projects -- five new and five revised ones -- were approved in today's meeting. The total estimated cost of the projects is Tk 7447.07 crore (only additional costs of revised projects were counted here),” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Of the total cost, Tk 3,682.28 crore will be borne from the government fund, while Tk 153.81 crore will come from the funds of an organisation concerned and Tk 3,610.98 from foreign sources as soft loans, he said.
Talking about the EDGE project, Planning Commission’s member Nasima Begum said the remaining works of building Digital Bangladesh will be done under the project.
The main project objective is to create a digital economy-friendly environment and provide policy support for development of the digital economy and thus face the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution by designing the strategies and action plans as well as creating skilled manpower and employment scopes.
The major operations of the EDGE project include procurement of ICT technology, software, office equipment and vehicles; procurement of consultancy services; training and research on digital economy and block allocation for facing post-Covid situation.
Matarbari coal-fired power project gets costlier
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday cleared the first revision of Matarbari 2X600 MW Ultra Supercritical Coal Fired Power Project, raising its cost by Tk 15,870 crore and extending the deadline up to December 2026 from June 2023.
The approval came from the weekly Ecnec meeting held virtually with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The Prime Minister joined the meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others got connected from the NEC conference room.
Read: First commercial ship reaches Matarbari deep sea port
“The meeting approved 10 development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 29,344.27 crore (only additional costs of revised projects counted),” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Of the total cost, Tk 11,003.30 crore will come from government funds while the rest of Tk 18,932.04 crore from foreign sources as loans, he said.
Of the approved projects, seven are new while three are revised ones, he said.
The cost of the Matarbari project now stands at Tk 51,854.88 crore against the original amount of Tk 35,984.46. The project deadline was extended till December 2026 from June 2023.
Regarding the project, State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said the Prime Minister suggested forming a development authority in Matarbari for the overall management since various development operations are being carried out there centering the coal-fired power plant.
Food grain storage capacity to be increased to 35 lakh mts by 2030: Food Minister
Food grain storage capacity of Bangladesh will be increased to 35 lakh mts by 2030, said Food Minister Shadhan Chandra Majumder on Tuesday.
“The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) recently approved construction of 30 silos,” said the minister.
The minister was addressing a progremme on household silo distribution among the beneficiaries of a project in Shibalaya upazila of Manikganj district.
Also read: None will be allowed to make rice market unstable: Food Minister
Sadhan Chandra said the government has taken initiative to build 200 paddy silos to ensure food security and the modern silos will have capacity of containing 5,000 mts food grains.
Wet paddy will be processed here after collecting from farmers, he said adding that the fair prices will also be ensured for farmers.
“Moreover, smart cards will be introduced within the next six months under the food-friendly program,” the minister said.
Once introduced, more transparency and accountability will be ensured in the distribution of food aid, he added.
Also read: Country has no shortage of food, says Food Minister
The minister said the Covid pandemic has been successfully tackled under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and so no food crisis was created in the country.
MPs AM Naimur Rahman and Mamtaz Begum, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Abdul Latif, Director General of Food Department Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were, among others, present at the event.
Payra Bridge to be opened in Oct: Quader
The Payra Bridge over the Payra River in the Lebukhali area of Barishal district will be opened to traffic in October, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said Wednesday.
“The Payra Bridge in the Lebukhali area is like another Padma Bridge for the people of the southern region, and the bridge will be opened to traffic next month,” he said.
The Minister said this while inaugurating as many as 11 bridges in three districts virtually from the office of the additional chief engineer of Barishal Roads and Highways division.
Read: India assured Bangladesh of stopping border killing, says Quader
“75% construction work of Bekutia Bridge in Pirojpur district is complete, while the government has approved the construction work of Nalua-Baherchar Bridge in ECNEC. We should introduce a culture of completing work within stipulated time and that too after maintaining quality,” he said.
Quader iaugurated 11 bridges, involving Tk 83,23,98,000, in Barishal division.
The bridges include 28.78m-long Babuganj Bridge, 31.828m-long Khasherhat Bridge, 31.828m-long Nababer Haat Bridge, 31.828m-long Kauria Bridge and 15.74m-long Khasherhat Bridge in Barisal district.
Besides, 44.02m-long Gurudhan Bridge in Jhalakati district, 69.898m-long Kheyaghat Bridge on Kathalia-Koikhali-Banaihat Road, 44.02m-long Banglar Jar Bridge on Paran Talukdarhat-Borhanuddin-Charfashion-Charmanika regional highway in Bhola district, 44.02m-long Debichar Bridge on Debirchar-Najirpur-Lalmohon-Mangalshikdar-Tajumuddin regional highway were inaugurated.
Read: WB delays decision to fund road safety project: Obaidul Quader
Two more bridges -- 63.798m-long Hetalia Bride on Charkhali-Tushkhali-Mathbaria-Patharghata Road and 75.978m-long Madarsi Bridge on the same road in Pirojpur district -- were also inaugurated.
Additional chief engineer of roads and highways department Tarek Iqbal and supervisor engineer Mintu Ranjan Debnath were also present on the occasion.
Govt plans big to equip youths for future job market
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved a Tk 4,300-crore project to equip over 1 million youths, women, workers and disadvantaged section of people with skills needed for the future job market.
The approval came from an Ecnec meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
She joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Ministers, State Ministers, Planning Commission Members and Secretaries concerned attended the meeting from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar NEC conference room.
Also read: Govt to spend Tk 4,167cr on 10 projects, Ecnec gives nod
Govt offers hope for returnee expats with Tk 427-cr rehabilitation project
The government on Wednesday approved a Tk 427-crore project to rehabilitate two lakh expatriates as some five lakh Bangladeshi workers returned home losing their overseas jobs amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the big project at an Ecnec meeting held virtually with its Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. The PM joined the meeting from Ganobhaban, while others from the NEC conference room.
Read: 28,849 Bangladeshi expats to return home: FM
Each of two lakh returnees will get orientation, counseling and then Tk 13,500 as cash incentive alongside other employment-related supports under the project.
Along with this project, a total of 10 development projects involving the overall estimated cost of Tk 2,575.42 crore got approval at the meeting.
“Today, 10 projects placed by nine ministries were approved at the meeting. Seven of these projects are new while the remaining three are revised ones,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Of the total estimated cost, Tk 2,150.42 crore will come from the national exchequer while the rest of Tk 425 crore as foreign loans from the World Bank, he said.
Mannan said the Prime Minister appreciated the supportive project for employment generation in the informal sector aiming to reintegrate the migrant workers who have returned.
Hasina said the expatriates who returned home contributed a lot to the country. “Now the country will have to provide support to them.”
Under the project, some 23,500 selected returnees who are skilled in different trades will also be given support to have certificates from the recognised organisations and manage jobs at home and abroad.
The other project operations include preparation of a database of the returnee workers, making the returnees connected with financial, technical and other relevant organisations and providing support to get loan and financial assistance, and engaging them in different productive activities and small business enterprises.
The Wage Earners’ Welfare Board under the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry will execute the project by December 2023.
The project will be implemented in 32 districts of the country. The districts are Dhaka, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Pabna, Bogura, Naogaon, Rajshahi, Sirajganj, Barishal, Patuakhali, Kushtia, Jashore, Khulna, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, Chandpur, Feni, Noakhali, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and Rangamati.
Of the project cost of Tk 427.30 crore, Tk 425 crore will come as loan from the World Bank, while the rest Tk 2.30 crore from the GoB fund.
State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said some five lakh expatriates returned home due to the Covid pandemic.
Read: Bangladesh expats to return to Oman from Oct 1 without NOCs
The other new projects include Modernisation and expansion of the services and research facilities of the Institute of Tissue Banking and Biomaterial Research’ project at a cost of Tk 173.80 crore, Construction of 3 underpasses and Paduar Bazar intersection U-Loop on Dhaka-Chattogram National Highway project with Tk 568.93 crore, and Protection of the left bank of the Padma River on the downside of Padma Multipurpose Bridge in different places under Louhajang and Tongibari upazilas of Munshiganj project with Tk 446.12 crore.
The remaining new projects are Setting up a full-fledged child cardiology and child cardiac surgery unit in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) project with Tk 72.09 crore, Construction of Bangladesh Chancery Bhaban at Canberra in Australia project with Tk 146.87 crore, and BSCIC food processing estate in Thakurgaon project with Tk 98.61 crore.
The three revised projects are Upgrading district highways into proper standard and width (Mymensingh Zone) (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 111.58 crore (now the cost increased to Tk 680 crore in 1st revision), District-based computer training for women (3rd revised) project with additional cost of Tk 31.82 crore (Cost now stands at Tk 118.79 crore), and Reconstruction or Replacement of Iron Bridges in the country’s southern region (1st revised) project with an additional cost of Tk 498.30 crore (Now the cost went up to Tk 2334 crore).
At the meeting, the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure the proper height of bridges during their construction through coordination with Inland Water Transportation for keeping waterways operative, said the planning minister.
Govt to spend Tk 4,167cr on 10 projects, Ecnec gives nod
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday cleared 10 development projects involving Tk 4,167 crore.
The approval came from the Ecnec meeting held at the NEC conference room here. Ecenc Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting, joining it through a videoconference from Ganobhaban.
“Today 10 projects, including seven new ones, got approval. The overall estimated cost of the projects is Tk 4,166.61 crore,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan at a press briefing.
Of the cost, Tk 4,125.82 crore will come from the national exchequer, while the rest Tk 40.79 crore from the own funds of the organisations concerned, he said.
Among the projects, four are under the LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry, two each under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and the Education Ministry, one each under the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry and the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
Also read: Hasina suggests 6 points for framing post-Covid global recovery plan
The projects under LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry are Development of Important Rural Infrastructures in Tangail Project involving an estimated cost of Tk 865.64 crore; Development of Rural Infrastructures in Gazipur District with Tk 685 crore; Acquisition of necessary lands for solid waste management and construction of bus-truck terminals in Gazipur City Corporation with Tk 782.25 crore; and Improvement of Safe Water Supply and Sanitation System in Rural Areas of Gopalganj District Project involving Tk 261.34 crore.
The two projects under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry are Development of Kabirhat-Chamir Munshirhat-Sonaimuri Road and Senbagh-Begumganj Gasfield-Sonaimuri Road under Noakhali road division involving Tk 371.16 crore; and Support to Joydevpur-Debgram-Bhulta-Madanpur road (Dhaka Bypass) PPP (1st revised) Project with an additional cost of Tk 438.24 crore.
Another two projects are under the Education Ministry and those are Development of Bangladesh University of Professionals (1st phase) (1st revised) Project involving an additional cost of Tk 90.63 crore; and Development of Bangladesh University of Processionals (2nd revised) Project costing an additional amount of Tk 346.32 crore.
Ecnec approved another project under the Environment Ministry which is Innovation of improved technology to store ‘Agar regin’ in matured Agar Trees involving Tk 67.92 crore and the rest one is under the Power and Energy Ministry. The project, ‘Construction of gas distribution pipeline network in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Pirganj towns and adjacent areas’, involves Tk 258.11 crore.
Also read: SDGs: PM says Bangladesh in top form for prudent planning
During the approval of the projects, the Prime Minister stressed the need for using surface water instead of underground one in a larger way, rainwater harvesting as well as taking steps to keep crops cultivation and safe drinking water away from salinity, said MA Mannan.
Sheikh Hasina said each and every public university needs to have a master plan and give proper importance to conducting quality research. There should be capping in the number of students of a university for the sake of ensuring the quality education, she added.
The PM directed the authorities concerned to complete the construction work on Dhaka Bypass in a speedy manner, expediting the implementation of ‘Support to Joydevpur-Debgram-Bhulta-Madanpur road (Dhaka Bypass) PPP (1st revised) Project.
In the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh Hasina unveiled the cover of a book titled "Bangabandhu in Disaster Risk Reduction" focusing on different orders and directives of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his government in disaster risk management.
Ecnec rejects Tk 17,290-cr primary school meal project
The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday turned down a Tk 17,290.23-crore project designed to provide ‘Khichuri’ or other food items as midday meals to primary school students.
“The project hasn’t been approved as the Prime Minister is concerned about its structure (modus operandi). She said cooking Khichuri in schools might hamper the study of students,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan.
The minister was briefing reporters after an Ecnec meeting held at the NEC conference room in the city.
Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting, joining it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Also read: All above 14 to get smart NIDs; Ecnec clears project
The meeting, however, cleared nine other projects involving an estimated total cost of Tk 5,239.62 crore, the minister added.
Of the cost, he said, some Tk 250 crore will come as loan from foreign sources.
Among the nine projects, six are fresh and three others revised ones.
About the midday meal project, Mannan said the project will not be placed for approval anymore, but new projects over the midday meal may come in different formats.