ECNEC okays 8 projects worth Tk 12.93b

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FE Report The government's top economic policy-making panel, ECNEC, Tuesday approved eight projects worth Tk 12.93 billion including a Tk5.0 billion scheme to augment farm production in the country's impoverished south-western and northern regions. The approval came at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, held in the city. Planning minister AK Khandker told reporters that the Integrated Agriculture Productivity Project (IAPP) will be implemented in Barisal and Rangpur divisions to boost crops production. Different agencies of Agriculture Ministry and Fisheries & Livestock Ministry will implement the project, partly funded by the World Bank whose contribution would amount to Tk3.70 billion. The ECNEC also approved a Tk1.73 billion scheme for constructing 117 kilometres roads, 26-km footpaths and 89-km sewerage drains in the Dhaka metropolitan area, he added. Under the scheme, a maternity centre, two community centres and a public library will be set up in the capital city. Out of total Tk12.93 billion cost for the eight projects, Mr. Khandker said Tk6.12 billion will be provided from the government's own resources, Tk6.06 billion from the external resources and Tk750 million from Japan Debt Cancellation Fund. Other projects approved in the meeting are Tk420 million repairing and modernisation of existing 11 old vocational training centres, Tk750 million construction of Bangladesh film archive bhaban, Tk520 million expansion and development of PROYASH at Dhaka cantonment project and Tk690 million Sylhet agricultural university development (1st phase) project. The rest of the ECNEC approved schemes are Tk2.94 billion South-western integrated water resources planning and management (2nd revised) project and Tk880 million Construction of Bangladesh chancery complex in Tokyo, Japan project.