Tk 670 cr projects begin in 3 hill dists this fiscal

The Prime Minister has approved the projects to be financed with grants of Tk 320 crore and Tk 350 from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) respectively, he told newsmen at Bandarban Circuit House on Saturday.

The projects will promote investment in different sectors including tourism and create jobs and boost the overall economy in the hills, he said.

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Bandraban Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Alauddin, Police Superintendent Iqbal Bahar and other government officials were present there.

"Though belated, we have overcome obstacles and local problems in implementing the projects which will create huge investment opportunities for local people and foreign investors. Agro-based sectors and tourism will get preference. These will generate employment and infuse a new life in the CJHT", Moni Sawpawn said.

"Though there were differences of opinion, the proposals by the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Ministry have been finally approved by the Prime Minister," he said.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) will be signed between the government and the UNDP within short time and project work will begin, he said.

Moni Sawpawn informed that UNDP has already collected 35 million US dollars from other UN organisations to implement the projects in CHT.

It became known that this 5 year long scheme would cost 50 million dollars for this project implementation.

The government's aim is to create a new generation of investors and businessmen in the three hill districts so that equity can be maintained without giving scope to monopolise trade and investment. Local small investors will be encouraged.

"There are three separate chambers of commerce in the three hill districts. It is regrettable that the chambers have given membership to few contractors and shopkeepers, avoiding real investors", he said.

Answering questions Moni Sawpawn said power supply is the prime need to boost investment and the government is toying with projects to give this facility to remote areas.

"The Country Director of ADB has agreed to give financial support for rural electrification in CHT". About Tk 14 lakh is needed per kilometre to reach electricity to remote areas, he said.