National Action Plan to Accelerate Youth Entrepreneurship Launched in Dhaka

The Government of Bangladesh, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Plan International Bangladesh, inaugurated the National Action Plan (NAP) to operationalize the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Policy 2025 today at a hotel in Dhaka.

Speaking at the inauguration, Md. Aminul Haque, Honorable State Minister, Ministry of Youth and Sports, highlighted the critical role of youth in driving economic growth and the need to further strengthen their contribution. “We are committed to transforming the youth sector, ensuring that training leads to real self-reliance and strengthening skills development to create meaningful employment opportunities. Above all, our core priority is job creation and supporting the innovative potential of young people, especially young women, ” he said.

Md. Mahbub Ul Alam, Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, noted, “The government can create only 70 lakh jobs. This leaves many educated young people struggling with unemployment, 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, UNDP Bangladesh, said, "The Youth Entrepreneurship Development Policy 2025 and its National Action Plan provide a timely opportunity to strengthen the ecosystem that enables young entrepreneurs to transform ideas into thriving enterprises. By expanding access to finance, skills, mentorship, and markets, while 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, Plan International Bangladesh, emphasized 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 ensure the leadership of women, members of ethnic minorities and marginalised communities,” she said.

The workshop included 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 actors, ensuring the plan is inclusive and actionable.

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