The government has decided to initiate a project with the aim to enhance facilities for Nakshi entrepreneurs, handloom and handicraft workers.

To this end, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved a project titled 'Sheikh Hasina Nakshipalli, Jamalpur (1st phase)'.

The approval for the approximately Tk 7.22 billion project came at the weekly meeting of the council held at the NEC conference room with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. 

The day’s meeting cleared a total of six projects involving an estimated cost of around Tk 26.51 billion, said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.

He said the entire cost will be financed by the national exchequer. All the six projects are new ones, as per a UNB report.

About the Nakshipalli project, the minister said Bangladesh Handloom Board under the Textile and Jute Ministry will implement the project on 300 acres of land in Jamalpur by December 2021.

The main goals of the project are to create civic facilities for Nakshi entrepreneurs, handicraft and handloom workers, and alleviation of poverty from Nakshi and handloom workers and improvement of their livelihood condition.

The five other approved projects are:

• Upgradation of Government Employees Hospital to 500-bed with an estimated cost of around Tk 3.80 billion
• Upgrading specific portion of Barishal-Bhola-Laxmipur Highway into due standard and width with around Tk 3.12 billion
• Development of Shariatpur (Manoharbazar)-Ibrahimpur Ferry-ghat Road with around Tk 8.60 billion
• Upgrading Nilphamari-Domar Road and Boda-Debiganj Road and Phulbari-Parbatipur Road into due standard and width with around Tk 2.50 billion
• Extension, Management and Production Increase of Citrus Fruits with around Tk 1.26 billion

(All numerical figures are in two significant number after the decimal point)