Smart policies, easier access to capital, and an enabling ecosystem are essential to unlock the full potential of Bangladesh’s young entrepreneurs, speakers stressed at a national workshop on “Youth Entrepreneurship: Investment, Policy and Ecosystem” held today (July 17, 2025) at the BIDA Multipurpose Hall, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Speaking as Chief Guest, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Hon’ble Adviser, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth-focused reforms: “What we are witnessing is the rise of a generation that is not waiting for permission, it is forging ahead with purpose and passion. This energy must be matched with our commitment to remove barriers, build infrastructure and give our young people the tools to lead.”

“Bangladesh’s youth are building and scaling innovations every day, but we must support them with the right systems,” said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Hon’ble Chief Adviser, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology. “This means mobilizing funds, embedding startup knowledge in our education system, and strengthening skill development and capital pipelines. If we act with purpose, we can unlock a new era of youth-driven growth.”

Opening the discussions, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA, emphasizing the need for smart regulatory support, said “Young entrepreneurs are national assets. We must support them through smart policies, easier access to capital, and an enabling ecosystem.”

"Despite over 1,200 active tech-enabled startups raising nearly USD 800 million and generating 1.5 million jobs in the past decade, only a few have scaled successfully," noted Sonali Dayaratne,  Resident Representative,  a.i., UNDP Bangladesh. "This is not due to a lack of talent but systemic gaps in finance, infrastructure, regulation, and regional inclusivity," she further added.

A keynote by Mr. Zahedul Amin, Managing Director of LightCastle Partners, highlighted gaps in the current investment climate and stressed the need for alignment between policy and youth-driven enterprise.

Dr. Mehruna Islam Chowdhury, Project Manager, Owais Parray, Country Economic Advisor, UNDP Bangladesh, and Nahian Rahman Rochi, Head of Business Development, BIDA, also spoke at the event, underscoring that open dialogue and youth engagement are key to driving reforms.

More than 100 youth entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and partners joined to identify challenges and co-create solutions to promote innovation and inclusive growth.

Participants highlighted key challenges including access to finance, lack of early-stage investment, complex regulatory processes, and limited skills development.

Recommendations focused on venture capital formation, regulatory sandboxes, credit guarantees, and creating a national strategy for startups. The need to support diverse sectors such as agribusiness, tourism, fintech, and green technology also emerged strongly.

The workshop concluded with a shared pledge to develop a comprehensive policy roadmap with institutions including BIDA, Startup Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bank, the ICT Division and others, placing youth at the heart of Bangladesh’s growth ambitions.

The event was organised under the UK-funded Transformative Economic Policy Programme Phase II (TEPP-II), jointly implemented by BIDA and UNDP Bangladesh.

For Bangla Click Here