Online Desk  :  The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved a Tk 4,068.23 crore project aimed at expanding and modernizing facilities at Mongla Port. The decision was made during the 7th meeting of ECNEC for FY25, held at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, and chaired by ECNEC Chairperson and Chief Adviser, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, reports BSS. Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud shared that a total of 13 projects were approved in the meeting, with a combined cost of Tk 12,532.28 crore. Of this, Tk 4,097.23 crore will come from the Bangladesh government, Tk 7,328.95 crore from loans, and Tk 1,106.10 crore from the respective organizations’ own funds. Among these, nine are new projects, while four are revisions.

The Mongla Port Authority, under the Ministry of Shipping, will implement the expansion project by December 2028. The project’s primary objective is to enhance the port’s container handling capacity, positioning Mongla as a key regional hub. A significant portion of the funding, Tk 3,592.90 crore, will come from a loan provided by China, with the remaining Tk 475.33 crore from Bangladesh’s government. Dr. Mahmud highlighted the strategic importance of Mongla Port and emphasized that this expansion would boost international trade, particularly with Bhutan, Nepal, and China. The project aligns with the government’s goal of developing the region’s infrastructure to support economic growth.

In response to questions, he also discussed upcoming reviews of the Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) and stressed the need for enhanced revenue collection to manage the growing burden of foreign loans. Furthermore, the government is focusing on infrastructure development and human resource enhancement to foster private investment and industrial growth. Other projects approved include initiatives in sectors like sanitation, seed production, energy, and education, reflecting a broad effort to address national development needs across various domains.