The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Monday approved a total of 10 projects involving an overall estimated cost of Tk1,974.3 crore.
The approvals came at a meeting of Ecnec with its chairperson and chief adviser, Dr Muhammad Yunus, in the chair, held in the NEC Conference Room in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.
Of the total cost for 10 projects, Tk1,642.98 crore will come from the government exchequer, while the rest, Tk331.32 crore, from the respective organization's own funds.
Of the approved 10 projects, seven are new and three are revised projects.
Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud briefed reporters following the meeting, providing details of the decisions.
Among the approved projects, the Ministry of Shipping received clearance for a project to construct river ports in the Chilmari area, which includes Ramna, Joragach, Rajibpur, Roumari and Nayarhat.
The Ministry of Agriculture got approval for two projects: the Ashuganj-Palash Green Initiative and the Sustainable Agricultural Technology Expansion project in the Comilla region.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's project for felling economically senescent rubber trees, re-afforestation and modernization of rubber processing also received the green light.
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources secured approval for three projects: the collection and installation of a 60 million standard cubic feet per day capacity process plant for the Bhola North Gas Field, the drilling of the Rashidpur-11 exploration well and a 2D seismic survey over exploration blocks 7 and 9.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs will establish 60 daycare centres under another approved project, while the Ministry of Railways obtained approval for two initiatives aimed at rehabilitating and upgrading level crossing gates in the eastern and western regions of Bangladesh Railway.
In addition, Ecnec members were informed about six projects recently endorsed by the planning adviser.
The meeting also addressed concerns about the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park project in Moulvibazar.
After reviewing findings that highlighted its potential adverse impact on the biodiversity of the Lathitila forest, Ecnec approved the cancellation of the project.
Several advisors, including those overseeing finance, commerce, environment and water resources, along with senior officials, were present at the Ecnec meeting.
