Photo:PMO

SANGSAD BHABAN, June 11, 2026, (BSS) - The government has proposed an initial allocation of Taka 300 crore for the development of the creative economy sector in the 2026-27 fiscal year, while an additional Taka 500 crore will be mobilised from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund of Bangladesh Bank.

“I propose an initial allocation of Taka 300 crore in the fiscal year 2026–27 for the development of the creative economy sector. In addition, a further Taka 500 crore will be mobilized from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sector of the Bangladesh Bank,” Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said while placing the national budget for FY2026-27 in Parliament today.

In his budget speech, the minister said the government has attached special importance to the creative economy to fulfill its electoral commitments. “Although the creative industry is a promising sector of our economy, it has never been given due importance. In fulfillment of our government’s electoral commitments, we are giving special priority to the development of the creative economy. Our goal is to unlock the vast economic potential of the country’s creative industries and integrate them into the mainstream economy.”

He said, “We believe that this promising sector can make a significant contribution as an investment in human resource development, national branding and future welfare. To ensure its sustainable development, we have undertaken initiatives to foster coordinated action between the public and private sectors. In this regard, and in line with the government’s electoral commitments, the relevant ministries, divisions, and agencies are formulating time-bound short, medium, and long-term action plans.”

The finance minister said establishment of Creative Hubs at the national and regional levels is essential for the development of the creative economy. These hubs will feature cultural venues, bookstores (with reading facilities), cineplexes, small-scale cafeterias, and dedicated spaces for showcasing and marketing of specialty products unique to their respective regions, he added. 

He said 10-year investment strategy and time-bound action plan are being formulated to develop regional creative hubs across the country. A feasibility assessment is being undertaken on an urgent basis with a view to expediting the establishment of a world-class Central Creative Hub on 160 acres of land in Purbachal under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, he added. 

He said efforts are also underway to assess the feasibility of establishing Creative Hub at Karwan Bazar, adjacent to the Office of the Survey General in Tejgaon, and on vacant industrial plots under BSCIC, following a review of their current status. 

In addition, he said, initiatives are being taken to establish Creative Hubs at the divisional, district, and upazila levels, as well as within the premises of the Bangladesh Shishu Academy and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Innovation Hubs have already been established in engineering and technology universities. Furthermore, steps have been taken to formulate a roadmap for gradually establishing Innovation Hubs in universities and undergraduate colleges across the country, he added.

Khosru said the government is placing special emphasis on the identification and design development of creative economy-based products. “As part of the Government’s ‘One-Village, One-Product’ initiative, a range of creative economy products will be identified, including handloom products, pottery, weaving products, shital pati (traditional reed mats), shataranji, wooden toys, handmade jewellery, terracotta products, and many others. Furthermore, initiatives are being undertaken to modernize and upgrade the BSCIC Design Centre to international standards and global benchmarks through the implementation of a project in collaboration with universities and renowned fashion designers,” he added.

He said the government has undertaken initiatives to implement special programs for the development of cultural tourism through the restoration of cultural heritage, regionally rich traditions, and heritage buildings. In the initial phase, two pilot projects based on 2–3 themes will be implemented, he added.

To nurture the talents of the younger generation, he said, necessary initiatives have been taken to modernize and expand national-level traditional competitions such as “Notun Kuri” and “Notun Kuri Sports.” 

He said the government is placing special emphasis on the development of eco-tourism through the advancement of the tourism sector. “We have undertaken extensive initiatives to this end. A specialized international-standard training institute will be established to enhance the global competitiveness and skills of professionals in the tourism sector,” he added.

The minister said that the government is providing necessary support to strengthen the global marketing of creative products. “Active support will be provided to Bangladeshi content creators and companies in this sector to help them enter international markets. Initiatives have been undertaken to launch a national brand and establish an appropriate institutional framework. A national brand titled ‘Created in Bangladesh’ will be launched to showcase the country’s creative potential in international festivals and markets,” he said.

Amir Khosru Mahmud said the government is undertaking multifaceted strategies to enhance the contribution of various sectors of the creative economy, with the aim of increasing its share to 1.5 percent of GDP and generating 500,000 new jobs in this sector.