Bangladesh Export Processing Zones
Authority (BEPZA) implemented a project entitled “Northern Areas Reduction of
Poverty Initiatives (NARI)”. NARI’s objective was to facilitate access to
employment opportunities in the garment sector for poor and vulnerable women
from Bangladesh’s poorest region, namely, the districts of Rangpur, Kurigram,
Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha (sending areas) by providing
information, technical- and “life-skills” training, transportation, housing and other
support for access to jobs and adjustment to urban life and employment.

Under the NARI project, initially, 3 (three) Export Processing Zones (EPZs), i.e.,
Dhaka, Karnaphuli and Ishwardi, were designated as the receiving areas for
building dormitories and training centers, based on earlier assessments.
However, during the approval of the DPP, the concerned authorities decided to
explore the possibility of including the Uttara EPZ as another receiving area. In
this regard, the authorities decided to commission a feasibility assessment for the
site of the Uttara EPZ as a receiving area under the NARI Project. YC was
assigned to conduct the feasibility study by the World Bank.