National Action Plan launched to boost youth entrepreneurship

The Government of Bangladesh, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Plan International Bangladesh, has launched the National Action Plan (NAP) to operationalise the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Policy 2025 at a hotel in Dhaka.

Md Aminul Haque, State Minister for Youth and Sports, underscored the pivotal role of youth in driving economic growth and emphasised the need to further enhance their contributions.

"We are committed to transforming the youth sector, ensuring that training translates into genuine self-reliance, and bolstering skills development to create meaningful employment opportunities. Above all, our priority is job creation and unlocking the innovative potential of young people, especially young women," he said.

Md Mahbub Ul Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said, "The government can create only 70 lakh jobs. This leaves many educated young people unemployed, which may contribute to social unrest. This Action Plan must take a holistic approach. We need to adopt a bottom-up approach and organise workshops in other divisions as well to make the process inclusive."

Sonali Dayaratne, Acting Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, said, "The Youth Entrepreneurship Development Policy 2025 and its National Action Plan offer an opportunity to strengthen the ecosystem for young entrepreneurs, enabling them to transform ideas into enterprises. By expanding access to finance, skills, mentorship and markets, and ensuring inclusion for young women, rural youth and other underserved groups, we can unlock the full potential of youth entrepreneurship and contribute to a more resilient and prosperous Bangladesh."

Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh, stressed the importance of inclusivity and equitable access for youth.

"We want young people not only to participate, but also to lead these initiatives. We hope this plan will not be city-centric, and that it will ensure the leadership of women, members of ethnic minorities, and marginalised communities," she said.

The workshop featured technical sessions on the strategic overview of the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Policy 2025, the NAP formulation process, and stakeholder consultations to gather input from diverse sectors, ensuring the plan is both inclusive and actionable.

The National Action Plan is expected to provide a structured framework for youth entrepreneurship initiatives, strengthen institutional alignment, and support the sustained engagement of young people in the country's economic growth.