As part of its continued commitment to improving the livelihoods of local communities, Summit LNG Terminal Co. Ltd. (SLNG)—a concern of Summit Group, the largest infrastructure conglomerate in Bangladesh—has announced the extension of its Livelihood Enhancement Project (LEP) for an additional year, until September 2026.
The decision follows the success of the project’s first phase, which ran from 2020 to 2024 in partnership with Young Power in Social Action (YPSA). The initiative has provided skills development training to 1,591 beneficiaries and disbursed grants totaling Tk 1 crore, primarily benefiting small-scale fishermen from the coastal areas of Ghotibhanga, Sonadia, Tajiakata, and Nayapara.
Under the LEP, men received vocational training on boat repair, along with toolkits that have helped them earn an average income of Tk 9,000–12,000 per month. Women participants were trained in tailoring and provided with electric sewing machines, while also learning to weave fishing nets and adopt hygienic, solar-based fish drying techniques (Shutki). To promote economic resilience, participants were also provided with fishing gear, which they now rent out for additional income.
In a further contribution to community development, SLNG has completed a comprehensive renovation of the Sonadia Government Primary School, investing approximately Tk 40 lakh in the project before formally handing over the facility to the Upazila Education Officer (UEO).
The extension signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organizations. From SLNG: Md. Sayedul Alam, Managing Director & CEO; Mohammed Shamsul Alam, Advisor; Md. Rafiqul Islam, Senior Manager; and Md. Mehedi Hasan Ovi, Deputy Manager, EHS. Representing YPSA were Dr. Md. Arifur Rahman, Founder and Chief Executive; Nasim Banu, Director, Social Development Department; and Md. Nazmul Haider, Assistant Director.
Through the continuation of LEP, Summit reaffirms its long-term vision to empower coastal communities through sustainable skill development and social infrastructure improvement.