Ecnec okays 5 projects involving Tk 4.33b

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The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) Wednesday approved five development projects involving Tk 4.33 billion (433 crore), including one for construction of Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center, reports UNB.
Of the total cost, Tk 2.23 billion will come from government exchequer while Tk 2.10 billion as project aid.
With Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Sheikh Hasina in the chair, the ECNEC in a meeting at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar NEC conference room gave the approval to the development schemes.
The exhibition center for the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) under the Commerce Ministry will be constructed on the northwestern corner of the Old Airport on 39 acres of land at a cost of Tk 2.75 billion, including Tk 2.10 billion coming as grants from China.
The project has been approved through an amendment as the Prime Minister directed including underground parking at the center. The project is expected to be completed by 2012.
Planning Division secretary Mohammad Habibullah Majumder told reporters of the decisions after the meeting.
He said government fund for the project which was now Tk 650 million might increase if China declined to give the increased cost for the construction of underground parking.
"In that case, the government will bear that extra cost," he added.
He said that the revised Annual Development Programme (ADP) would be finalised by mid-January (Jan 15-20).