Bangladesh Bank is set to establish a special fund worth between 800 to 900 crore taka to support new entrepreneurs. This fund will specifically provide capital for startup companies, according to Governor Ahsan H Mansur.
He made this announcement during the Startup Connect session at the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 on Monday (April 7). The governor also confirmed that a formal notice regarding the fund would be issued shortly.
The event kicked off with the Startup Connect session under the theme "Empowering Innovation, Connecting Opportunity," held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka. The four-day summit brought together both local and international young, innovative entrepreneurs.
In his keynote speech, Tanveer Ali, a Canadian citizen of Bangladeshi origin, highlighted the potential of Bangladesh’s youth. He emphasized the increasing demand for innovative startups in the country’s rapidly growing economy, though he noted that compared to other nations, investment in this sector is still relatively low.
Governor Ahsan H. Mansur explained that the special fund for new entrepreneurs would be distributed through commercial banks.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), addressed the challenges faced by new entrepreneurs, particularly the bureaucratic hurdles such as obtaining and renewing trade licenses. He pointed out that entrepreneurs often face significant inconvenience due to the annual trade license renewal process.
Harun also mentioned that over 500 foreign investors from 40 countries are participating in the summit. These investors will be given tours of economic zones in Chittagong and Narayanganj.
He further noted that Bangladesh has no shortage of innovative entrepreneurs, but many face difficulties in starting their businesses due to a lack of startup funds. This is why Bangladesh Bank is working to create a fund of 800 to 900 crore taka specifically for this purpose.
The event also featured virtual messages from LinkedIn's co-founder, with panel discussions involving prominent figures like Faiz Ahmed Tayyeb, Special Assistant to the ICT Advisor to the Prime Minister, and ICT Secretary Shish Haidar Chowdhury.
