The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) is Bangladesh's highest authority that approves development projects and policies. ECNEC was established in 1982 and is chaired by the Prime Minister. It considers and approves public sector projects over 25 crore taka, private sector projects over 15 crore taka, and reviews economic performance and policies. ECNEC meetings are held as needed in Dhaka and are supported by officials from the Finance, Planning, and other relevant ministries.

1. Functions and Responsibilities of ECNEC
Submitted By: Md. Tarek Rahman
Batch: 4th ID: 0908048
+8801947690360
Department of Management Studies, Comilla University
Date: 12.09.2014

2. National Economic Council (NEC): highest political authority for consideration of development activities reflective
of long-term national policies and objectives. Generally, the ministries/divisions formulate their respective plans and
programmes as per objectives formulated by the NEC, which consists of all members of the Cabinet and is chaired by
the head of the government, i.e the Prime Minister. The NEC meets as and when required, and in one particular
meeting the attendance requirement depends on the subjects under consideration. The secretariat of the NEC used to
be the Cabinet Division at the initial stage, but later located in the Planning Division.
The NEC’s functions are to
(i) provide overall guidance at the stage of the formulation of Five Year Plans, Annual Development
Programmes including all national economic policies;
(ii) (ii) finalize and approve plans, programmes and policies; (iii) review progress of implementation of
development programmes; (iv) take such other decisions and actions considered necessary for socio-economic
development; and (v) appoint such committees as are required to assist the NEC in
discharging its responsibilities.
ECNEC
Executive Committee of National Economic
Council (ECNEC)
Agency overview
Formed 1982
Headquarters Dhaka
Employees 25
Agency executive Prime Minister,
Chairperson
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.
xecutive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) According to available records, the composition and
functions of ECNEC are laid down in the Cabinet Division Resolution in 1982. However, the said resolution
supersedes all previous orders in this respect. In 1982, it consisted of the Minister for Finance and Planning as
convenor. Included in the committee were
(a) Minister for Industries and Commerce,
(b) Minister for Works and

3. (c) 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

4. Position in Government Role in ECNEC
Prime Minister Chairperson
Minister, Ministry of Finance Alternate Chairman
Minister, Ministry of Planning Member
Minister, Ministry of Agriculture Member
Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment Member
Minister, Ministry of Water Resources Member
Minister, Ministry of Communication Member
Minister, Ministry of Shipping Member
Minister, State Minister of the Concerned Ministry Member
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

5. 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.
Web References:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECNEC
2. http://www.plandiv.gov.bd/index.php/nececnec
3. http://www.banglapedia.org/HT/N_0104.htm