Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) has finally approved the “Supporting Infrastructure Project for Chinese Economic Zone” after the proposal remained stalled for a decade.
The approval came during a meeting held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, presided over by Prime Minister and Ecnec Chairperson Tarique Rahman.
This clearance comes just ahead of the prime minister’s scheduled visit to China later this month, with the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) expecting the project to attract significant Chinese investment and facilitate the expansion of industrialisation.
The foundation stone for this project was originally laid in 2016 during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Dhaka.
However, progress remained stagnant for years due to the Development Project Proposal (DPP) being held up at the Prime Minister’s Office, delays in signing agreements with developers, changes in developers, and various financing complexities.
According to the plan, the economic and industrial zone will be developed on approximately 800 acres of land at Belchura in Anwara Upazila, situated on the eastern bank of the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram.
This site holds immense geographical and commercial significance due to its proximity to the tunnel constructed beneath the Karnaphuli River.
The total cost of this project is estimated at Tk4,189.45 crore, with Tk2,467 crore provided as a Chinese loan and the remaining funds sourced from the Government of Bangladesh’s internal resources.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has already been signed between BEZA and the Ministry of Commerce of China.
The China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) will implement the project on behalf of Chinese government in collaboration with Bangladesh, with infrastructure construction slated for completion by December 2031.
In total, ECNEC approved five projects on Tuesday with a combined cost of Tk7,003.36 crore, including Tk4,536.10 crore from the government’s own funds and Tk2,467.26 crore in project loans.
Amongst the approved schemes are three new projects and two revised ones, including the rehabilitation of the Muhuri-Kahua flood control, drainage, and irrigation project in Feni district (Phase 1) under the Ministry of Water Resources and the development of Karatoya River system.
Other approvals included the first revision of a project to protect Talbaria in Mirpur Upazila and the Komorkandi area of Shilaidaha Union in Kumarkhali Upazila, Kushtia, from Padma River erosion, as well as the third revision for the establishment of one technical school and college in 100 Upazilas under the Ministry of Education.
The ECNEC meeting was also informed of four additional projects costing less than Tk50 crore each, which had been previously approved by Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.
These projects involve the construction of an Airmen Barrack Complex at the Bangladesh Air Force Base in Cox’s Bazar, the establishment of a Navy School and College in Savar, and the construction of infrastructure to enhance educational standards and capacity at BAF Shaheen College in Shamshernagar.
The committee noted the fourth phase of Pagoda-based pre-primary and Tripitaka education programme.
