Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to inaugurate a significant programme titled 'Youth, Startup, and Promising Bangladesh' tomorrow at Dhaka University (DU). The event, scheduled for 9:30 AM at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, aims to harness the innovative ideas, creativity, and entrepreneurial potential of the youth to drive national development.
Key Highlights of the Event
Organized by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division of the government in collaboration with Dhaka University, the programme will feature several key highlights. These include a documentary screening on the Bangladesh Startup Ecosystem, an experience-sharing session by successful startups titled 'Golpo Noy Shotyi' (True Stories, Not Fables), and an open-floor discussion between the Prime Minister and students on startup-related topics.
Additionally, the event will see the distribution of grant checks to selected startups and the official launch of the 'National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform'. This platform will serve as a unified digital launchpad for entrepreneurs, providing access to essential information, government support programmes, application processes, training, mentoring, investment opportunities, and partner organizations.
Special Guests and Speakers
Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad will be present as special guests. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam will deliver the thanks, while the Acting Secretary of the ICT Division Md. Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan will give the introductory speech.
Professor Dr. Md. Morshed Hasan Khan of the DU’s Department of Marketing, a member of the event management committee, will deliver the welcome address.
National Priority and Government Initiatives
The initiative is in line with the government's Election Manifesto 2026, which gives special priority to startup and entrepreneurship development. A Taka 500 crore Startup Fund has been established to finance and nurture promising innovative ventures. The event underscores the government’s commitment to integrating youth and women’s innovative power through entrepreneurship development to drive economic growth, job creation, and technological transformation.
Significance and Future Implications
This programme is a crucial step towards building a robust national startup ecosystem. By providing a unified platform for entrepreneurs, the government aims to enhance coordination in entrepreneurship development, simplify service delivery, and foster a knowledge-based economy. The event will remain open to all from 1:00 PM onwards following the completion of the inaugural session.
