Dhaka, Apr 07 (V7N) – In a significant step toward promoting entrepreneurship, Bangladesh Bank has established a startup fund ranging from Tk 800 to 900 crore to support the country’s new and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur announced the initiative on Monday (April 7) during the inaugural session of the four-day Bangladesh Investment Conference, organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). The governor stated that the fund would be disbursed through commercial banks and that a circular detailing the guidelines will be issued soon.

“This fund is intended to create opportunities for youth and new entrepreneurs who face difficulties in accessing capital,” the governor said.

Speaking at the same event, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud highlighted the bureaucratic hurdles that startups face, especially in obtaining and renewing trade licenses, which significantly slow down business operations. “Despite the growing interest among youth to launch startups, these administrative barriers often discourage them,” he said.

Ashiq Mahmud further added that over 500 foreign investors from 40 countries are attending the conference, and they will be visiting the economic zones in Chittagong and Narayanganj to explore investment opportunities.

He also emphasized that Bangladesh has no shortage of talented startup entrepreneurs, but lack of funding remains a major obstacle. The newly announced startup fund by Bangladesh Bank is expected to address this challenge and open up new avenues for innovation and growth in the business sector.

The fund is part of a broader effort to improve the ease of doing business, attract foreign investment, and accelerate the country’s journey toward a knowledge-based economy.

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