Dhaka: Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, emphasized the importance of utilizing the potential of the young generation in the era of globalization. He highlighted the significant demographic of the country, with around 63 percent of the population under the age of 35, and stressed the need to address unemployment, which was a major factor in last year's student-led July Revolution.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Asif Mahmud delivered his remarks as the chief guest at a national workshop on "Youth Entrepreneurship: Investment, Policy and Ecosystem" held at the BIDA Multipurpose Hall in the city. The event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He reaffirmed the government's commitment to youth-focused reforms, emphasizing the need to remove barriers and provide the necessary infrastructure to empower young people.
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, highlighted the need for systems to keep pace with young innovators. He stressed that young Bangladeshis are actively building and innovating, and systems need to match their urgency and creativity. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA, described young entrepreneurs as national assets and called for smart policies and easier access to capital to support them.
Sonali Dayaratne, UNDP Bangladesh's Resident Representative (acting in charge), urged the removal of barriers to facilitate youth-led innovation. Zahedul Amin, Managing Director of LightCastle Partners, discussed gaps in the current investment climate and the need for policy alignment with youth-driven enterprises.
The event also featured contributions from Dr. Mehruna Islam Chowdhury, Project Manager, Owais Parray, Country Economic Advisor, UNDP Bangladesh, and Nahian Rahman Rochi, Head of Business Development, BIDA. They underscored the importance of open dialogue and youth engagement in driving reforms. Over 100 youth entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and partners participated in the workshop to identify challenges and co-create solutions for promoting innovation and inclusive growth.
The workshop concluded with a collective commitment to develop a comprehensive policy roadmap with institutions such as BIDA, Startup Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bank, and the ICT Division, placing youth at the center of Bangladesh's growth ambitions. The event was part of the UK-funded Transformative Economic Policy Programme Phase II (TEPP-II), jointly implemented by BIDA and UNDP Bangladesh.