ECNEC approves nine projects involving estimated cost of Tk 37.56 billion

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday approved a total of nine projects involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 37.56 billion.

Out of the approved nine projects, three are new while nine are revised projects.

BSS report said out of the total project cost, Taka 27.98 billion will come from the government of Bangladesh, Taka 8.13 billion as project loan while the rest of Taka 1.45 billion from the concerned organisation's fund.

The approval came from the 10th meeting of the ECNEC this year held on Wednesday at the NEC Conference Room in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area with ECNEC Chairperson and Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said there was a project proposal regarding Rabindra University in the day's meeting.

Rabindra University is the 40th public university in Bangladesh. The university is named after the Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore. The university is located in Shahjadpur Upazila of Sirajganj district, which is famous for the poet's memory.

The proposal was however sent back while the concerned authorities have been asked to prepare a new plan for the university.

The adviser also mentioned that the government has a plan to transform Rabindra University into a world-class one like Shanti Niketon or Bishwa Bharati.

The ECNEC also approved a Tk 2.44 billion for Bangladesh Sustainable Recovery, Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (B-STRONG) (DDM) Part to enhance disaster resilience.

Another objective of the project is creating employment opportunities for vulnerable families to different disasters.

Planning Commission officials said out of the total project cost, the World Bank will provide Tk 2.38 billion as grant while the rest of Taka 58.0 million will come from the government of Bangladesh portion. The Department of Disaster Management under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will implement the project by June 2029.

The main project operations include creating some 31,89,960 days of employment opportunities for some 8,861 vulnerable families under 10 upazilas of Feni, Brahmanbaria and Chattogram districts which were severely affected in flood, procurement of 370 rescue boats for flood-prone 37 districts of the country, imparting training to some 1,480 volunteers in 37 districts on addressing disaster risks and operating rescue boats, imparting training to some 1,295 district disaster management committee members and appointing consultants.

The feasibility study on the project has already been completed while the project is included in the new project list under the ADP for the current fiscal year.

On the project, the Planning Commission in its recommendations said that once the project is implemented, it would help to create income opportunities for the vulnerable families in different disaster and thus enhance their disaster tolerance.

Besides, they would also be able to conduct rescue operations and search operations before, during and after any disaster.

Besides, the ECNEC meeting was also apprised about some 11 projects which were approved earlier by the planning adviser.

Advisers concerned attended the meeting while Planning Commission members and Secretaries Concerned were present.