Photo : Collected

DHAKA, June 14, 2026 (BSS) - 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 at a city hotel today.

Speaking at the inauguration, Md. Aminul Haque, state minister for the 
Ministry of Youth and Sports, highlighted the critical role of youth in 
driving economic growth and the need to further strengthen their 
contribution, said an UNDP press release.

"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 of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, noted, 
"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 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," she added.

Kabita Bose, country director of 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 continued.

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.