The Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed to set up an authority to coordinate the ongoing development projects in Maheshkhali and Matarbari areas of Cox’s Bazar. She said that many projects had been underway in Matarbari and Maheshkhali areas. These works should be undertaken by one authority, not separately. The Hon’ble Prime Minister made these remarks at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on 23 November.
According to the meeting, 37 projects are being implemented in Maheshkhali and Matarbari areas of Cox’s Bazar. The Chittagong Port Authority is in charge of Matarbari deep seaport. The Ministry of Power is in charge of the 1,200 MW power plant at Matarbari. There are economic zones being made and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) is in charge of them. Gas lines, LNG, roads are also being built. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has directed to form the Matarbari Development Authority to coordinate these works. The new authority will function similarly to the Payra Port Authority and the Chittagong Port Authority.
After the ECNEC meeting, the Minister of the Ministry of Planning MA Mannan told reporters that the Hon’ble Prime Minister had said that everyone must work together to implement those projects. A total of 10 projects worth Tk 29,344 crore have been approved at the ECNEC meeting. One of these is the Matarbari Coal-fired Power Plant Project. The Japanese government is lending money for its implementation.
State Minister for Planning Shamsul Alam, Secretary of the Planning Division Pradip Ranjan Chakraborty and others were present at the press conference.
