The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) yesterday approved a project titled ‘Sheikh Hasina Nakshipalli, Jamalpur (1st phase)’ involving Tk 722 crore, aiming to enhance facilities for Nakshi entrepreneurs, handloom and handicraft workers.

The approval came at the weekly ECNEC meeting held at the NEC conference room with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The ECNEC meeting cleared a total of six projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 2,650.75 crore, said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.

He said the entire cost will be borne by the national exchequer. All the six projects are new ones.

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 Tk 379.96 crore; Upgrading specific portion of Barishal-Bhola-Laxmipur Highway into due standard and width with Tk 312.48 crore; Development of Shariatpur (Manoharbazar)-Ibrahimpur Ferry-ghat Road with Tk 859.63 crore; Upgrading Nilphamari-Domar Road and Boda-Debiganj Road and Phulbari-Parbatipur Road into due standard and width with Tk 250.24 crore; and Extension, Management and Production Increase of Citrus Fruits with Tk 126.44 crore.