Ecnec clears 123C project to create self-employment opportunities

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday cleared a new project involving Tk123 crore to create self-employment opportunities and alleviate poverty by expanding the activities of Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC), giving importance to women in the training programs.

Ecnec also approved three revised projects, raising their total cost by Tk1,536 crore.The approval came from the 11th Ecnec meeting of the current fiscal year, held virtually with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The Prime Minister and Planning Minister MA Mannan joined the meeting from Ganobhaban through a videoconference, while other Ecnec members were connected from NEC Bhaban.

“Today, four projects were approved at the meeting and the total estimated cost is Tk1,659.34 crore. Among these, one is a new project and three are revised ones,” said MA Mannan at a press briefing.

Of the amount, Tk740.14 lakh will be borne from government funds, while the remaining Tk919.20 crore will come as friendly assistance from the World Bank and KFW Development Bank of Germany, he said.

The BITAC under the Industries Ministry will implement ‘Self-Employment Creation and Poverty Alleviation through Expansion of BITAC activities Giving Importance to Women in Practical Technical Trainings (Phase-2) by June 2025.

The main objective of the project is to create entrepreneurs and jobs by enhancing the skills of 15,000 women and men through practical training.

The project will be executed in Dhaka North City Corporation, Chandpur Municipality, Pahartali of Chittagong, Fultala of Khulna and Bogura Sadar spending Tk123.18 crore.

The major project operations include construction of a 10-storey male hostel, vertical extension of a six-storey women hostel, providing training to 15,000 women and men on different trades.

Ecnec cleared Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University Physical Infrastructural Development (1st revised) Project increasing the cost to Tk840.56 crore from the original cost of Tk491.34 crore.

The meeting endorsed Rehabilitation of Polder No-62 (Patenga), Polder No-63/1A (Anwara), Polder No-63/1B (Anwara and Patia) in the coastal areas of Chittagong district (2nd revised) project raising the cost to Tk577.23 crore from Tk320.29 crore in the 1st revision and Tk280 crore in the original estimate.

Besides, Ecnec approved the Emergency Multi-Sector Rohingya Response (1st revised) Project raising the project cost to Tk1,987.84 crore from the original cost of Tk1,057.84 crore.