Finance
ECNEC ECNEC approves project worth Tk 4,300 crore to develop youth as skilled workers
Dhaka, September 8: The government has taken initiative to develop the youth and women and backward classes as employment-friendly and demand-based workforce. To this end, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved a project at a cost of Tk 4,300 crore.
The approval was given at an ECNEC meeting chaired by ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC meeting room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Tuesday. The Prime Minister attended the meeting through virtual from her official residence Ganobhaban.
At the end of the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan briefed reporters on the project approved by ECNEC.
He said the ECNEC meeting had approved a total of six projects at a cost of Tk 7,589.72 crore. Of this, Tk 5,072 crore will be spent from government funds and Tk 2,580 crore from foreign loan assistance. The planning minister said the approved projects include six new projects and two revised projects.
The 'Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET)' project will be implemented by the Board of Technical and Madrasa Education from July 2021 to December 2026 with the aim of building youth, women and the underprivileged as employment-oriented and demand-driven workforce. The government will finance Tk 1,720 crore for the project and the remaining Tk 2,580 crore will be provided by the World Bank.
MA Mannan said there is a shortage of skilled manpower in the country. Therefore, the government is implementing various projects to build a skilled workforce. State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said the Prime Minister termed the ASSET as a very timely project to make proper use of the demographic dividend facility.
The Planning Commission is of the view that the implementation of the project will improve the quality of technical and vocational education in the country as well as increase the efficiency of the youth and create quality employment opportunities at home and abroad. In addition, under the project, initiatives have been taken to develop women and disadvantaged people as well as youth and workers as demand-oriented skilled manpower in order to create future employment opportunities. Which is expected to accelerate the developing economic development of the country.
The main activities of the project include acquisition of 15 acres of land for construction of non-residential buildings, training, training grants, project grants, consultancy, seminars and conferences, purchase of ICT equipment, computer equipment, office equipment, furniture and other equipment, technical and vocational education and training sectors. Provide assistance in creating awareness regarding Covid-19.
