ECNEC

Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) is Bangladesh's highest authority for approving of development activities reflective of long-term national policies and objectives.

History

ECNEC structure and functions were laid down in the Cabinet Division Resolution in 1982. In that year, it consisted of the Minister for Finance and Planning as Convenor.
Included in the committee were Minister for Industries and Commerce, Minister for Works and Minister of the concerned ministry.

Committee functions were:
1. To consider and approve development projects costing above taka 5 crore;
2. To consider and approve investment projects in the private sector costing above taka 15 crore;
3. To review the progress of implementation of development project;
4. To consider proposals for investment companies as private or joint ventures or with foreign participation;
5. To promote the economic situation and review over-all performance of the economy and related policy issues;
6. To consider financial performance of statutory corporations and specially their financial results;
7. To consider rates, fees and prices of public utility services or products of public enterprises.

Personnel that were required to attend meeting were -the cabinet secretary, secretaries of Finance, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, members of the Planning Commission, External Resources, Planning and Implementation, Evaluation and Monitoring Divisions including secretaries of the relevant divisions. In 1982, Bangladesh was under martial law and so the Principal Staff Officer and General Staff Officer to the Chief Martial Law Administrator and Chief of the General Staff were also required to attend the meetings of the ECNEC in 1980s.

Depending on the nature of administration of the country, ECNEC structure and functions underwent many changes since it has been inaugurated. As an example, in July 1986, after the martial law as lifted upon parliament election, Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator was replaced by Deputy Prime Minister replaced the Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator as Convenor of the ECNEC.

During caretaker government period, in September 1991, the Finance Minister became the chairperson of the ECNEC. However, in October 1991, the head of government became the chairperson. Latest notification was issued in January 2000, which instruct that,the Minister/State Minister for Planning was deleted from the list of members of ECNEC including the Prime Minister is the chairperson and the Finance Minister is the alternate chairperson of ECNEC. The members included Ministers for Local Government and Rural Development and Cooperatives, Food, Water Resources, Education, Industries, Commerce, Post and Telecommunications, Agriculture, Science and Technology. The relevant ministers whose subjects are taken up are also members. The cabinet secretary, secretary Planning, principal secretary of Prime Minister's office, secretary of External Resources Division, secretary of Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, the relevant members of the Planning Commission and secretaries are also required to assist ECNEC.

Structure

Supporting officials

Following personnela are required to assist ECNEC committee.
1. Cabinet Secretary
2. Principal Secretary / Secretary, Prime Minister's Office
3. Secretary, Economic Relations Division
4. Secretary, Finance Division
5. Secretary, Planning Division
6. Secretary, IMED
7. Member, General Economics Division, Planning Commission
8. Member, Programming, Planning Commission
9. Secretary, Concerned Ministry/Division

Functions

Functions of the ECNEC:
1. To consider and approve project concept papers for all investment projects.
2. To consider and approve public sector projects having investment expenditure of above Tk. 25 crore with prior recommendation of PEC meeting.
3. To review the progress of implementation of development projects.
4. To consider proposals for investment companies as private, joint ventures with foreign participation.
5. To monitor the economic situation and review over-all performance of the economy and related policy matters.
6. To consider the performance of statutory corporations and especially their financial performance.
7. To consider rates, fees and prices of public utility services or products of public enterprises
8. To consider and approve yearly target of foreign aid, expansion of trade, export of manpower as well as to review the progress of the yearly targets.

Meetings

ECNEC meeting take place at NEC Conference room in city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagor. Meeting is held as and when required while Planning Division provides secretarial services to the ECNEC.

See also

NEC
Economy of Bangladesh

External links

1. http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/HT/N_0094.HTM>
2. http://www.plancomm.gov.bd/ecnec.asp
3. http://bangladesheconomy.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/ecnec-approves-tk-5068-crore-for-seven-development-projects/