Cox’s Bazar to get dried fish-processing industry; Tk 199cr project okayed

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) today approved four development projects, including a Tk 199 crore one to set up a dried fish-processing industry in Cox's Bazar to produce quality dried fish and increase its production, minimising fish wastage.

The approval came from the 14th Ecnec meeting of the current fiscal year, held at the NEC Bhaban in Dhaka. Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting, joining from Gono Bhaban through a videoconference.

"The total estimated cost of the four projects is Tk 2,459.15 crore (only additional costs of the two revised projects were counted here)," said Planning Division Secretary Md Ashadul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.

Of the cost, Tk 1,669.31 crore will be borne from the national exchequer, while Tk 182.14 crore from the fund of the organisations concerned and the rest Tk 607.70 from foreign sources as loan assistance.

The Secretary said the project titled 'Establishment of Dried Fish Processing Industry in Cox's Bazar District' will be implemented spending Tk 198.79 crore from January 2021 to December 2023.  

Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation will execute the project at Khurushkul in Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila.

The major project operations include construction of 2500-square metre landing shed, 1860-square metre four-storey laboratory, office, training centre-dormitory, four-chambered cold storage with a 100-ton capacity, 36 dried fish sale centres and an electricity substation.