The long-delayed ‘Supporting Infrastructure Project for the Chinese Economic Zone’ is once again set to be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).
Although the project was presented at the Ecnec meeting on 9 June, it was not approved on that occasion and was instead sent back for further detailed review.
Planning Commission sources said the project is being brought back to the agenda in line with efforts to strengthen strategic investment and bilateral economic cooperation.
The meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday morning in the cabinet room of the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Four new projects will also be presented for approval at the meeting. In addition, four projects already approved by the planning minister will be placed before Ecnec for information.
The project was originally launched during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Dhaka in 2016 to attract Chinese investment.
However, it remained stalled for years due to delays in submitting the development project proposal (DPP) to the Prime Minister’s Office, lack of agreements with developers, changes in developers, and financing complications.
Ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to China, the government is now seeking to approve the project as part of a broader strategy to attract Chinese investment and expand industrialisation.
Under the plan, the economic and industrial zone will be developed over around 800 acres of land in Belchura area of Anwara upazila on the eastern bank of the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram.
The site is strategically and commercially significant, located near the Karnaphuli Tunnel.
The project cost has been estimated at Tk4,189.45 crore, of which Tk2,467 crore will come as Chinese loan financing. The remaining funds will be provided from the government’s own resources.
A memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and China’s Ministry of Commerce.
According to the plan, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), on behalf of the Chinese government, will implement the project jointly with the Government of Bangladesh. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2031.
Technical schools project stretched from 2.5 years to 14 years
A project to establish one technical school and college in each of 100 upazilas, initiated in January 2014, is now being extended once again.
Originally scheduled for completion by June 2016, the project has repeatedly been extended through revisions, special revisions, inter-sectoral adjustments, and increases in time and cost.
At the outset, the project cost was estimated at Tk924.03 crore.
This has gradually risen to Tk2,520.39 crore. In the latest third revision, the cost remains unchanged, but the scope of work and timeline are being adjusted.
Planning Commission documents stated that construction of 80 of the 100 technical schools and colleges has already been completed.
The proposed extension of two years is intended to finish the remaining works and ensure supply of furniture and necessary equipment.
Flood protection project for Feni
The government has undertaken a Tk1,542 crore project to protect large areas of Feni district from damage caused by downstream hill torrents from India and sudden flooding.
The project titled ‘Rehabilitation of Muhuri-Kahua Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project in Feni’ will be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board.
It includes strengthening existing embankments, dredging rivers to increase water retention capacity, improving drainage systems, expanding irrigation facilities, and preventing river erosion. Durable embankments will also improve local transport connectivity.
The Water Development Board said the project will protect immovable assets worth around Tk14,209 crore, including public and private infrastructure and agricultural land, from flood risk.
It is also expected to safeguard around 3,71,735 tonnes of rice and other crops annually, along with 15 tonnes of fish resources and 25 tonnes of poultry products.
Officials said the project will enhance resilience against climate change impacts and strengthen disaster preparedness.
Revival of Karatoa River project
A Karatoa River development project aimed at flood control, river erosion prevention and expansion of irrigation facilities in northern Bangladesh is also set to be placed before Ecnec.
The project cost has been estimated at Tk1,094.35 crore.
It will be implemented from July 2026 to June 2030 across nine upazilas in Bogura and Gaibandha districts.
Under the project, around 230 kilometres of rivers—including the Karatoa, Ichhamati and Gojaria—will be re-excavated.
Riverbank protection works, embankment construction, regulators and other infrastructure development will also be carried out.
Once implemented, the project is expected to reduce waterlogging over around 2,609 hectares of land, improve irrigation facilities, and have a positive impact on agricultural production.
