Six more social businesses get green light

Six new social business plans of young entrepreneurs coming from Grameen Bank borrower families yesterday won approval from Yunus Centre for investment.

They got the approval at the 92nd Social Business Design Lab at the auditorium of Grameen Bank in the capital with about 150 participants and observers from national and international organisations.

Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus presided over the programme.

The projects include Borsha Handicraft by Bithi Begum that will make women's clothes and decoration products; Bibiyana Beauty Parlour by Sharifa Khatun to provide skincare services; Sohani Fashion Tailors by Sohani Akter Jhumur; Riazul Islam's Rojoni Gondha Layer Farm which will produce meat and eggs; Kamruzzaman Milon's grocery store; and Rajib Bansh House by Rajib Hossain.

Since the lab's inception in January 2013, 1,260 projects have been presented.

Of them, 1,235 were approved for investments, said Yunus at the programme, adding that most of the approved businesses are already in operation.

"It is exciting that so many ideas are now a reality and impressive that entrepreneurs coming from remote areas are now presenting their business plans and defending them in front of distinguished international audience," Yunus said.