The government has initiated a fresh drive to secure foreign funding for 24 major development projects across various sectors, with the Economic Relations Division (ERD) convening a meeting of the Foreign Aid Search Committee today. Chaired by ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiqui, the meeting aims to assess project viability and identify potential sources of external assistance.
One of the key proposals on the agenda is the first phase of the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP), estimated at $747.25 million, with around $550.62 million expected from Chinese loans. The project, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), aims to restore and reclaim over 170 square kilometers of land along the Teesta River.
The Health Services Division has already submitted five priority projects, including the construction of new hospitals, strengthening of the Venom Research Centre, and upgrades to district and upazila health complexes. It also includes the Bangladesh-China Friendship General Hospital in Chattogram, which is expected to receive Tk 21.39 billion in Chinese grants, with Tk 6.09 billion allocated for medical equipment.
In addition to health and water resource projects, other proposals on the table include infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, and digital transformation initiatives. These include the Adaptive River System Management Project (ARSMP), the Metro Dhaka Water Security Programme, expansion of the power grid in Mymensingh, a 150MW solar power plant in Raipura, and the procurement of four new vessels under the Ministry of Shipping. The Ministry of Railways has proposed the construction of a new Inland Container Depot near Dhirasram and electrification of the Narayanganj–Dhaka–Joydebpur rail line. Civil aviation, ICT, agriculture, and education sectors also have projects under review, such as Phase II development of Cox’s Bazar Airport, establishment of smart cold storage, a 4IR innovation park at BUET, and infrastructure upgrades at CVASU.
The Bridges Division has proposed the construction of the second Muktarpur Bridge over the Dhaleswari River. ERD officials note that these projects are in early planning stages, and the meeting will help determine which proposals are suitable for seeking foreign aid. “The projects are still at a very early stage. There is nothing to say until everything is finalised,” said ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiqui.
