New government to hold first ECNEC meeting on April 6

The new government will convene its first Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting on April 6.

The session is scheduled for 10:30am at the NEC conference hall, with Prime Minister and ECNEC Chair Tarique Rahman presiding.

A total of 17 development projects will be presented in the meeting, including nine new initiatives. Additionally, 33 projects previously approved by the Planning Minister will be reported for information, according to Planning Commission sources.

Key new projects include the development of the Korotoa River system under the Ministry of Water Resources, the second phase of the Universal Social Infrastructure Development by the Local Government Division, Char Development and Settlement Project-4, and the fourth phase of the Participatory Rural Development project under the Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives.

An IT Training and Incubation Center under the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology is also on the agenda.

In health, diagnostic centers at eight divisional medical college hospitals and a new dental college and hospital in Gopalganj are planned. Housing and Public Works initiatives include a 21-storey office building at Bangladesh Secretariat.

Urban infrastructure projects cover development works in Dhaka South City Corporation, residential buildings for sanitation workers in Chittagong, and emergency water supply in Dhaka. Defense sector plans include a barracks complex for soldiers at Savar’s Sonanibas.

Transport projects include the Bairagipura–Tumchar–Bauphal road in Barishal, expansion of Barishal–Bhola–Lakshmipur highway, Goma Bridge over Rangamati River, and second-phase border roads in the hill districts. Five climate-resilient bridges in Mymensingh division are also included.

The ECNEC will also be informed of 33 previously approved projects spanning roads, water resources, agriculture, fisheries and livestock, power, ICT, local government, and other development initiatives.