Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday underscored the importance of organising trade fairs at district and upazila levels to encourage youth entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the inauguration of the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair 2025 in Purbachal, he proposed decentralising such events to nurture young talent.
Dr Yunus suggested that the government fund these fairs to enable the participation of youths from upazila levels.
He advocated for year-round local preparations, culminating in a central fair in Dhaka, where participants could exchange ideas, gain insights, and grow.
Highlighting the potential of Bangladesh’s youthful majority, Dr Yunus said, “Many countries lack this demographic strength.
We must harness it to empower our youth and unlock their entrepreneurial potential.” He emphasised that humans are creators, not merely workers, and urged that young people be encouraged to innovate based on their ideas.
Dr Yunus proposed a dedicated section at the trade fair for individuals under 25 years old, providing a platform to showcase their capabilities.
“These young people will guide the nation and the world, excelling not only in Bangladesh but on a global stage,” he remarked.
The chief adviser praised the achievements of young entrepreneurs in agriculture, handicrafts, cottage industries, and ICT. He suggested identifying promising individuals through local competitions to represent their regions at the Dhaka fair.
Groups of youths from across the country and abroad could collaborate and draw inspiration from one another at the event, fostering innovation and investment opportunities, he added.
Dispelling the notion that a lack of money hinders entrepreneurship, Dr Yunus said, “Intelligence, not capital, is the true asset. With innovation, financial success follows.”
He commended the entrepreneurial spirit of young women, highlighting their success in ventures such as home-based businesses, including sari sales and food delivery. He recommended showcasing these examples to inspire others.
Dr Yunus called for collective efforts to develop new products, enhance export opportunities, and strengthen service-oriented institutions to improve export quality and efficiency.
During the event, furniture was declared the “Product of the Year,” and Dr Yunus urged organisers to introduce an “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, Acting Commerce Secretary Abdur Rahim Khan, and EPB Vice-Chairman Md Anwar Hossain.
The fair, jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), also features tributes to the anti-discrimination student movement, with landmarks such as “July Chattar” and “Chhatrish Chattar.”
As in previous years, the fair will be open daily from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, with extended hours until 10:00 pm on weekends.
