The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 25 development projects worth Tk 45,191 crore across Bangladesh. The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chair Dr. Muhammad Yunus, was held at the NEC conference room of the Planning Commission on Sunday. Among the approved projects, 14 are new, six are revised, and five have been granted time extensions. Of the total cost, Tk 10,881 crore will come from government funds, Tk 32,018 crore from foreign loans, and Tk 2,291 crore from the implementing agencies’ own resources.

The approved projects span communication, health, education, agriculture, water resources, power, transport, and human resource sectors. Major initiatives include widening regional highways, constructing an elevated expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, strengthening the airport runway, and expanding tourism facilities in the hill tracts. Other projects cover rural infrastructure in Cumilla, police facility construction, dual-gauge rail line expansion to Cox’s Bazar, and establishment of a 1,000-bed Bangladesh–China Friendship General Hospital.

Officials expressed optimism that these projects will enhance infrastructure capacity, generate employment, and contribute positively to national economic growth.