Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division (ERD) is set to meet today (Wednesday) to consider foreign funding for nearly two dozen development projects, including the high-profile Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP).

Chaired by ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiqui, the Foreign Aid Search Committee meeting will review project proposals across multiple sectors.

Officials said the discussions typically cover early-stage schemes, assessing their feasibility, funding prospects, and follow-up with development partners.

The TRCMRP Phase 1, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board, is estimated at $747.25 million. It aims to restore and reclaim 170.87 square kilometers of land, with $550.62 million expected from Chinese loans.

Two more major water projects – the Adaptive River System Management Project and the Metro Dhaka Water Security and Resilience Programme – are also on the agenda.

The Health Services Division has shortlisted five projects, including strengthening the Venom Research Centre, upgrading district and upazila hospitals, and the Bangladesh-China Friendship General Hospital in Chattogram, which will receive Tk 21.39bn in Chinese grants.

Other proposals include climate and sanitation schemes under the Local Government Division, a solar power plant and grid expansion in Mymensingh, new ships for the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, railway electrification, Cox’s Bazar airport expansion, smart cold storage facilities, and a digital financial inclusion project by the ICT Division.

Officials said the meeting reflects the government’s intensified search for external financing to push forward large-scale infrastructure and social sector programmes.