The 10th meeting of the ECNEC this year was held today in the capital, chaired by ECNEC Chairperson and Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Photo: PID

DHAKA, May 7, 2025 (BSS) - The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) today approved a Taka 244.14 crore for Bangladesh Sustainable Recovery, Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (B-STRONG) (DDM) Part to enhance disaster resilience. 

Another objective of the project is creating employment opportunities for vulnerable families to different disasters.

The approval came from the 10th meeting of the ECNEC this year held today at the NEC Conference Room in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area with ECNEC Chairperson and Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

The meeting approved a total of nine projects involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 3,756.20 crore. Of the total project cost, Taka 2,798.19 crore will come from the government of Bangladesh portion, Taka 812.95 crore as project loan while the rest of Taka 145.06 crore from the concerned organization's fund.

Of the approved nine projects, three are new while nine are revised projects.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said that the Government has a plan to transform Rabindra University into a world-class one like Shanti Niketon or Bishwa Bharati. 

The Planning Adviser said that the Chief Adviser has directed the authorities concerned to take effective steps towards it as there was a project proposal regarding the University in the day's meeting. 

It was however sent back while the concerned authorities have been asked to prepare a new plan for the University. 

Rabindra University is the 40th public university in Bangladesh. The university is named after the Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore. The university is located in Shahjadpur Upazila of Sirajganj district, which is famous for the poet's memory. 

Planning Commission officials said out of the total project cost of Taka 244.14 crore for the B-STRONG (DDM) part project, the World Bank will provide Taka 238.34 crore as grant while the rest of Taka 5.80 crore will come from the government of Bangladesh portion. The Department of Disaster Management under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will implement the project by June 2029.

The main project operations include creating some 31,89,960 days of employment opportunities for some 8,861 vulnerable families under 10 upazilas of Feni, Brahmanbaria and Chattogram districts which were severely affected in flood, procurement of 370 rescue boats for flood-prone 37 districts of the country, imparting training to some 1,480 volunteers in 37 districts on addressing disaster risks and operating rescue boats, imparting training to some 1,295 district disaster management committee members and appointing consultants.

The feasibility study on the project has already been completed while the project is included in the new project list under the ADP for the current fiscal year.

On the project, the Planning Commission in its recommendations said that once the project is implemented, it would help to create income opportunities for the vulnerable families in different disaster and thus enhance their disaster tolerance.

Besides, they would also be able to conduct rescue operations and search operations before, during and after any disaster.

The other projects approved in the meeting are: Capacity enhancement of Bangladesh Public Service Commission Secretariat including establishing seven regional offices, 3rd revised with zero additional cost, Prevention of violence and harmful practices against children and women in Bangladesh with around Taka 170.34 crore, Construction of inland container and bulk terminal (1st revised) at Khanpur in Narayanganj with an additional cost of Taka 223.75 crore, Development of Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara Lake, 1st revised with an additional cost of Taka 145.06 crore, Disaster Risk Management Enhancement Project, Component 2&3, 3rd revised with an additional cost of Taka 34.06 crore, Irrigation management development of Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts with Taka 499.82 crore, WECARE, Phase-1, Jhenidah-Jashore Highway (N-7) Development project, 1st revised with an additional cost of Taka 2,439.03 crore and Important rural infrastructures development in greater Cumilla district, 3rd phase, 1st revised with zero additional cost.

Besides, the ECNEC meeting was also apprised about some 11 projects which were approved earlier by the Planning Adviser.

Advisers concerned attended the meeting while Planning Commission members and Secretaries Concerned were present.