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ECNEC approves Tk 29.9b projects

12/27/2005

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) in a meeting Sunday approved 14 new development projects that would cost Tk 29.92 billion, including Tk 23.02 billion project aid, report agencies.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia chaired the ECNEC meeting held in the NEC conference room of the Planning Commission.
One of the major approved projects is -Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway (Daudkandi- Chittagong)-- with a project aid of TK 16.99 billion.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman said, Dhaka-Chittagong highway would be financed by Japan debt relief grant.
Mentioning that the country has no experience on this type of large project, he said a huge sum would have to be spent on foreign consultancy to conduct the study of the project.
The other important projects include procurement of two rescue vessels at a cost of Tk 2.63 billion, establishment of diabetes, endocrine and metabolic hospital for women and children spending TK 370 million, Tk 810 million project for enhancing the capacity of Bangladesh police and Tk 1.82 billion upazila connecting road and incomplete bridge project.
The projects also include computerisation of police stations (1st phase) at a cost of Tk 270 million, Improvement of meteorological radar system at Cox's Bazar and Khepupara spending Tk 1.29 billion and Tk 1.92 billion project for expansion of renewable energy and solar home system.
Out of the 14 approved projects, seven would be entirely financed by the government while other seven by Japan, South Korea and Germany.
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Health and Family Welfare Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda and Education Minister Osman Farruk and concerned secretaries attended the meeting, among others.