Tk 500cr fund to turn youth into entrepreneurs

The government has earmarked Tk 500 crore in the current national budget for a startup fund aimed at grooming young people as entrepreneurs, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said on Wednesday.

He urged youths to acquire technical and vocational skills and use the fund to start businesses and build sustainable livelihoods.

The minister made the remarks while inaugurating a two-day International Youth Day programme organised by Save the Children in Tejgaon.

Zahid said the government is providing training to young people in different trades through various agencies while also offering seed money to those who lack the financial capacity to start businesses.

He called on youths to take advantage of these opportunities by developing the skills needed to become entrepreneurs. Describing young people as the “core strength” for building the future Bangladesh, the minister said skilled and educated youths would become assets not only for the country but also for the world.

He stressed the importance of technical education alongside general education to make the best use of Bangladesh’s demographic dividend.

Zahid also said the government is working to build an inclusive and humane Bangladesh, which requires the participation of people from all sections of society.

Other participants at the programme stressed the importance of acquiring skills aligned with market demand and developing professional networks.

Save the Children Country Director Suman Sen Gupta, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Samsad Murtoza, foreign diplomats, representatives of development partners, NGOs, civil society and media attended the programme.