Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Sunday expressed the hope that Bangladesh would be able to achieve around 6.0 per cent GDP growth rate in the current fiscal year (2013-14) despite all odds and constraints.
"We'll try to attain around 6.0 per cent GDP growth rate in the current fiscal year facing all the odds and constraints, and the vulnerabilities of the world economy. We'll move ahead addressing our weaknesses," he said.
The new Planning Minister was answering to reporters' queries after the first ECNEC meeting of the new government held in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area, reports UNB.
The World Bank has recently said Bangladesh would not be able to achieve the targeted 7.2 per cent GDP growth in the 2013-14 fiscal.
The Washington-based lending agency has forecast that the growth rate of Bangladesh would not cross 5.7 per cent, essentially due to Bangladesh's ongoing political turmoil.
In a half-yearly report, titled 'Global Economic Prospects' on Wednesday, the World Bank recorded this observation.
Briefing the journalists, AHM Mustafa Kamal said the country's economy faced a setback over the last six months due to political turmoil and violence unleashed by BNP-Jamaat. "We'll try to maintain our expectations regarding the GDP growth as the growth was above 6.0 per cent over the last four years."
Asked whether there was any discussion at the ECNEC meeting over gearing up the ADP implementation rate, Mustafa Kamal said due to the unrest over the last six months, the officials concerned even the field-level workers faced difficulties in carrying out their activities.
Earlier, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved 13 development projects involving Tk 77.35 billion, including Tk 1.15 billion to give the capital a facelift ahead of the T-20 World Cup Cricket scheduled for March next.
ECNEC chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting held at the NEC conference room.
"Of the total cost, Tk 35.88 billion will come from the government, while the remaining Tk 41.47 billion in project assistance," he added.
Under the project of 'Improvement of road infrastructure and beautification work around Mirpur Shere-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and major roads of the capital for ICC World Cup T-20 Bangladesh, 2014' infrastructural development of the adjoining roads of two international cricket stadiums and other major roads of the capital would be completed.
Besides, beautification works and smooth traffic movement would be ensured under the project.
Local Government Division will implement the project spending Tk 1.15 billion taking Tk 920 million from GoB fund and Tk 230 million from Dhaka North City Corporation Fund. Infrastructural development of about 23 km roads, electrification and setting of street light, traffic sign and marking on 23.50 km roads and beautification and bright lighting of 20.50 km roads have been included in the project.
The day's ECNEC meeting gave nod to another project, titled 'Municipal Governance and services project' involving Tk 24.71 billion. Under the project, development of 600 km roads, 400 km drainage line, 26 wholesale markets, 26 kitchen markets, 12 bus terminals, 4 truck terminals, 36 public toilets, and 6 parks and construction of 570 meters of culverts would be completed.
Besides, the capacity building and implementation support will be provided in 146 municipalities. Of the total project cost of Tk 24.71 billion, the World Bank will provide Tk 19.54 billion for the project while the rest would be provided by the government.
Local Government Division would implement the project from January 2014 to December 2019.
The other projects approved in the meeting are: Higher education quality enhancement project (Tk 20.54 billion, GoB Tk 2.63 billion and PA Tk 17.91 billion), Establishment of Technical School in 100 Upazila project (Tk 9.24 billion-GoB), Establishment of 30 technical training centres in different districts (2nd revised) project (Tk 8.26 billion-GoB), Integrated Farm Management, Agricultural Production and Employ-ment Programmes (Tk 4.32 billon; GoB Tk 1.08 billion and project assistance Tk 3.24 billion), Bangladesh Railway Reformation Project (Tk 3.15 billion, GoB 780 million and PA 2.37 billion), Construction Kalna Bridge over Modhumoti River project (Tk 2.45 billion-GoB), Kishoreganj-Karimganj-Chamraghat-Mithamoin Road Development project (Tk 890 million-GoB), Patnitala-Sapahar-Rahanpur Road Devel-opment Project (Tk 1.28 billion-GoB), Kansut-Rahanpur-Bholahat Road Development Project (Tk 330 million-GoB), 'Shaheed Monsur Ali (Pipulbaria-Sonamukhi-Dhunat) Road Development project (Tk 530 million-GoB) and Birulia-Ashulia Road Construction (2nd revised) project (Tk 500 million-GoB).
Ecnec members, inclu-ding Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowd-hury, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, other ministers concerned, Members of the Planning Commission, secretaries and officials concerned were present at the meeting.
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