The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved five major development projects with an estimated total cost of BDT 7,003.36 crore.

Out of the total project expenditure, BDT 4,536.10 crore will be drawn from the government's own resources, while the remaining BDT 2,467.26 crore will be secured through external project loans.

The approvals were granted during the 13th ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year (FY26), held at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The high-level meeting was chaired by ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Among the five approved development schemes, three are entirely new initiatives, while the remaining two are revised projects.

List of Approved Major Projects

The approved lineup features a significant infrastructure scheme under the Prime Minister's Office titled 'Supporting Infrastructure Project for Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone.'

Three critical water management projects under the Ministry of Water Resources also received the committee's clearance:

• Rehabilitation of Muhuri-Kahua Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project in Feni District (Phase-I);
• Karatoya River System Development Project; and
• The first revised project for protecting Talbaria area under Mirpur upazila and Komorkandi area of Shilaidaha Union under Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia district from erosion by the Padma River.
• Additionally, ECNEC approved a key human resource development project under the Ministry of Education: the third revised project titled 'Establishment of One Technical School and College in Each of 100 Upazilas.'

Acknowledge of Smaller Projects

The forum was also officially informed about four separate small-scale projects, each costing belowBDT 50 crore, which had already been approved by the Planning Minister.

These low-budget initiatives include:

• Construction of an Airmen Barrack Complex at Bangladesh Air Force Base Cox's Bazar;
• Establishment of Navy School and College at Savar;
• Construction of physical infrastructure for improving educational standards and teaching capacity at BAF Shaheen College under Bangladesh Air Force Station Shamshernagar; and
• The fourth phase of the Pagoda-based Pre-primary and Tripitaka Education Programme.

Dignitaries in Attendance

The meeting was attended by a broad delegation of senior cabinet members and top policymakers, including:

• Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury;
• LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir;
• Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman;
• Industries, Textiles and Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir;
• Road Transport, Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam;
• Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed;
• Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon;
• Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee; and
• State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, alongside other senior government officials.