The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved a total of 13 projects with an estimated cost of Tk 1,988.09 crore.

The approval came from a meeting of the ECNEC with Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus in the chair at the NEC conference room in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Of the total projects cost, Tk 1,885.07 crore will come from the government's fund, Tk 53.02 crore as project assistance, while the remaining Tk 50 crore will be borne from the concerned organization's own funds.

Of the 13 projects, three are new projects, seven are revised projects, and three projects were granted an extension of time only.

The projects approved cover diverse sectors and ministries, including agriculture, infrastructure, foreign affairs, power, and health.

The approved projects are 'PRO-ACT Bangladesh-Resilience Strengthening through Agri-Food Systems Transformation in Cox's Bazar', 'Sustainable Rural Mud Roads through Herringbone Bond (HBB) Construction (2nd Phase) (Proposed 3rd Amendment)', 'Khulna Division Rural Infrastructure Development Project (3rd Amendment)', 'Renovation of Urban Landscape and Cultural Center Development Project in Jamalpur City (3rd Amendment)', 'Construction of Internal Roads, Drains, and Footpaths in Zones 01 to 05 of Gazipur City Corporation (3rd Amendment)', 'Uttara Block Development (1st Amendment)', 'Construction of Bangladesh Chancery Building in Canberra, Australia', 'Upgradation of Kishoreganj (Binnati)-Patuaria-Mirzapur Jalkal Highway to appropriate standard (1st Amendment)', 'Expansion and Modernization of Physical and Chemical Testing Laboratories of BSTI', 'Ghorashal 3rd Unit Re-powering Project (2nd Amendment)' , 'Mental Hospital, Pabna into an International Standard Mental Health Institute and Hospital', 'Rehabilitation and Quality Improvement of Level Crossing Gates in the Western Zone (4th Amendment) of Bangladesh Railway' and 'Eastern Zone (5th Amendment) project of Bangladesh Railway'.

During the meeting, ECNEC members were also informed by Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud about 12 additional projects that had already received approval.

These projects include initiatives such as the development of the Light Engineering Sector and creation of e-waste processing facilities, capacity building of BGD e-Gov CIRT, establishment of schools for children with special needs and projects focused on increasing irrigation through the elimination of waterlogging in the Bhavdah area.

Other notable pre-approved projects mentioned were a pilot project for deep sea fishing, a vaccine invention project to prevent freshwater fish disease, and projects related to the modernization of jute production.