Tk300cr for creative economy proposed

The government plans to spend a total of Tk 800 crore on the country’s creative economy, with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today proposing an additional Tk 300 crore allocation for the sector.

Presenting the national budget, he said another Tk 500 crore would be mobilised from Bangladesh Bank’s corporate social responsibility fund.

The creative economy generates value through creativity, culture, intellectual property, and innovation rather than the production of physical goods. It encompasses industries where ideas, artistic talent, cultural heritage, and digital content serve as the primary drivers of economic value. The finance minister said the government is placing special emphasis on the creative economy to fulfil its electoral commitment.

“Our goal is to unlock the vast economic potential of the creative industries and bring this sector into the mainstream economy, while increasing its contribution to GDP to 1.5 percent.”

In order to ensure the sustainable development of the sector, the government has already undertaken a master plan involving coordinated initiatives by the public and private sectors, and non-government organisations, he said.