PM assures full support for startups

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman pledged the government’s full support to young entrepreneurs, saying startups are essential to Bangladesh’s economic transformation and job creation, as he inaugurated the National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform at Dhaka University.

Addressing the programme titled “Youth, Startups and Bangladesh of Possibilities” at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on Tuesday, he said the government would do everything possible to help entrepreneurs build successful businesses despite the challenges they face.

“We are with you-to help you, guide you and stand beside you. I do not know how much we will be able to do, but we will do our utmost to support you,” the Prime Minister said.

The programme, jointly organised by the ICT Division and Dhaka University under the slogan “Build the Nation through Startups, Bangladesh First,” aimed to bring the innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial potential of young people into the mainstream of national development.

Tarique acknowledged that building a business demanded determination, patience and perseverance.
“What you want to do is not easy. It is very difficult. But you can succeed if you have the determination,” he said.

Sharing his personal experience, the Prime Minister said he had once been involved in business before entering politics. He added that his political journey exposed him to mental and physical hardship, teaching him the importance of resilience.

“I am not trying to discourage you. I want to encourage you. Every successful journey involves hardship, but if you remain determined, you can achieve your goal,” he said.

The Prime Minister said entrepreneurs contribute far beyond creating businesses by generating employment and supporting national development.

“You are needed not only for yourselves but for millions of people and for the country,” he told the audience.

He said his optimism about Bangladesh’s future had grown after witnessing innovation exhibitions by school students and nationwide sports competitions involving around 22 lakh primary school students.
“Sometimes, as a politician, I become discouraged. But after seeing those children, I felt much more confident.

And today, after seeing your work and hearing your experiences, my confidence has grown even stronger,” he said.

“It gives me confidence that when we leave, there will be capable young people to take the country forward from where we stop,” he added.

The Prime Minister concluded by wishing success to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting them.

During the programme, Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform, which officials said would function as a digital one-stop service, enabling entrepreneurs to access government support programmes, training, mentoring, investment opportunities, partner networks and other services.

He also distributed grant cheques to six selected entrepreneurs.

During a discussion session, Rafia Fashion House founder Lutfunnesa Meghna sought government financial assistance to expand her business. Responding immediately, the Prime Minister announced that her startup would receive the requested grant.

The programme featured a documentary on Bangladesh’s startup ecosystem, followed by a session titled “Not Just Stories, but Reality,” where successful entrepreneurs shared their experiences of building businesses.

Four founders participated in the first session: Sadia Haque, CEO of ShareTrip; Raihanul Islam, founder of Chorcha; Lutfunnesa Meghna, founder of Rafia Fashion House; and Fahad Ifaz, CEO of agritech company iFarmer.

Later, around 230 students from eight universities took part in an interactive discussion with the Prime Minister on entrepreneurship, innovation and employment.

The participating institutions included the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Jahangirnagar University, Jagannath University, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), North South University and BRAC University.

Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad, ICT Division Acting Secretary Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan and others also addressed the programme, chaired by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam.

At the end of the event, the Dhaka University vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellors presented a commemorative crest to the Prime Minister, who later visited exhibition stalls set up by young entrepreneurs and interacted with them about their products and business ideas.