News Flash
DHAKA, May 18, 2026 (BSS)- Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the government has designed an Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Taka three lakh crore for 2026-27 fiscal year.
The ADP has been designed as a people-centric development roadmap aimed at rebuilding the economy, strengthening state institutions and ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth, he said.
Briefing reporters after a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) today, the minister said the ADP size has been fixed at Taka 3,00,000 crore, including Taka 1,90,000 crore from government financing and Taka 1,10,000 crore from project loans and grants.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the maiden meeting of NEC under the incumbent government held at the NEC Conference Room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on the ministries of Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Planning Md Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki and Planning Secretary SM Shakil Akhter were present during the briefing.
The planning minister said next year ADP is larger than the current fiscal year as the government expects higher implementation capability and efficiency under an elected administration.
“We have assumed that an elected government will have greater capability, high efficiency and stronger implementation power. That is why we have taken a larger development programme,” he said.
The minister described the next year ADP as “a reflection of a new development philosophy” that goes beyond traditional infrastructure building.
“This ADP is not only about infrastructure development, rather it presents an integrated outline for state reforms, a discrimination-free society, sustainable economy and regional balance,” he said.
He said the government has formulated a “Five-Year Strategic Framework for Reform and Development” to guide the country’s economic recovery and transformation over the next five years.
“The context is very simple- from a fragile economy to prosperity through recovery, transition and reconstruction strategy,” he said, adding that the framework reflects the commitments made by the elected government to the people during the national election.
The minister said the first pillar of the framework focuses on reforming the state structure through judicial and administrative reforms, expansion of legal services, digitalisation and improvements in governance.
He said the framework also prioritises strengthening law enforcement agencies, modernising public investment management and introducing multi-year public programming.
For effective implementation of the projects, the minister said, the government has decided to introduce a transparent and competency-based process for appointing Project Directors (PDs).
“In the past, there were many allegations regarding PD appointments, including corruption and influence-based recruitment. Some projects failed because of corruption while some failed because of lack of competency,” he said.
“From now, there will be clear criteria for appointing Project Directors, and only those who fulfil the criteria will be appointed,” he added.
The minister said the government is also introducing stronger monitoring mechanisms to ensure timely implementation of the projects.
“Every ministry will have a dashboard. The dashboard will show the progress status of every ongoing project. Wherever implementation slows down or falls behind schedule, immediate action will be taken,” he said.
Khosru said the government inherited around 1,300 projects from previous administrations and many of those projects are now being reviewed.
“We have found that many projects were driven by inefficiency, wastage or even motivated corruption. Many of them did not deserve national priority,” he said.
According to the minister, projects that are unnecessary, impractical or not beneficial to the people would be cancelled while projects already at advanced stages would undergo further assessment.
“If we believe a project will not benefit the country or the people, we will cancel it,” he said.
The minister made it clear that no time extension would be allowed for newly approved projects.
“Projects must be completed within the stipulated timeframe. There will be no scope for repeated extensions of time,” he said.
He said the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) would investigate projects affected by corruption or mismanagement and recommend actions accordingly.
The minister said future development planning would strongly focus on employment generation and economic returns.
“Every project must ensure value for money. There must be return on investment and projects must create employment because we do not want jobless growth,” he said.
He also said climate resilience and sustainability would remain key considerations in selecting future projects.
