SS Report
Dhaka, 17 July 2025
Smart policies, better access to capital, and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem are essential to empower Bangladesh’s young entrepreneurs, speakers emphasized at a national workshop titled “Youth Entrepreneurship: Investment, Policy and Ecosystem” held today at the BIDA Multipurpose Hall.
The workshop, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the UK-funded Transformative Economic Policy Programme Phase II (TEPP-II), brought together over 100 youth entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to co-create strategies for inclusive innovation.
Speaking as Chief Guest, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Hon’ble Adviser for the Ministries of Youth and Sports, and Local Government, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth-led reforms. “This generation is forging ahead with passion. We must match this energy by removing barriers and building enabling infrastructure,” he said.
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Hon’ble Chief Adviser, stressed embedding startup education and enhancing skill development to unlock youth-driven growth.
BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun called for “smart regulatory support and easier access to capital,” terming young entrepreneurs as “national assets.”
UNDP’s Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne, noted that while over 1,200 startups have raised nearly USD 800 million and created 1.5 million jobs, scale remains limited due to gaps in finance, regulation, and regional access.
The workshop identified key challenges including limited early-stage funding, regulatory hurdles, and skill gaps. Recommendations included regulatory sandboxes, venture capital facilitation, credit guarantees, and a national startup strategy.
The event concluded with a joint pledge to develop a youth-centric policy roadmap involving BIDA, Bangladesh Bank, Startup Bangladesh, and the ICT Division.
Source: UNDP, Bangladesh
