Govt prioritises creative economy to raise GDP contribution to 1.5 percent

The government has given special priority to the creative economy, aiming to unlock its economic potential, bring the sector into the mainstream economy and raise its contribution to 1.5 percent of GDP while creating 500,000 new jobs.

The government’s creative economy strategy seeks to open up new opportunities for young people, artists, artisans, content creators and creative entrepreneurs, while broadening the country’s economic growth drivers and enhancing Bangladesh’s cultural and creative footprint in global markets.

According to the budget document, the government has also planned to strengthen coordination between the public and private sectors by formulating time-bound short, medium and long-term action plans for the sustainable development of the creative industries.

The government is planning to establish Creative Hubs at national and regional levels featuring cultural venues, bookstores with reading facilities, cineplexes, small cafeterias and dedicated spaces for showcasing and marketing region-specific products.

A 10-year investment strategy and time-bound action plan are being formulated to develop regional Creative Hubs across the country.

A feasibility assessment is also being undertaken on an urgent basis to establish a world-class Central Creative Hub on 160 acres of land in Purbachal under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The government is also assessing the feasibility of establishing Creative Hubs on unused land at Karwan Bazar, adjacent to the Office of the Survey General in Tejgaon, and on vacant industrial plots under the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC).

Initiatives are being taken to establish Creative Hubs at divisional, district and upazila levels, as well as at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Innovation Hubs have already been established at engineering and technology universities, while a roadmap is being prepared to gradually establish such hubs at universities and undergraduate colleges across the country.

The government is also focusing on identifying and developing creative economy-based products under its ‘One-Village, One-Product’ initiative.

These include handloom products, pottery, weaving products, shital pati, shataranji, wooden toys, handmade jewellery and terracotta products.

A ‘National Pool of Designers’ comprising leading local designers is being established to improve the quality and design of creative products.

The BSCIC Design Centre will also be modernised and upgraded to international standards through a project in collaboration with universities and renowned fashion designers.

The government has also undertaken programmes to promote cultural tourism through the restoration of cultural heritage, regional traditions and heritage buildings. Two pilot projects based on two to three themes will initially be implemented for heritage restoration and the organisation of international festivals.

To promote tourism, a specialised international-standard training institute will be established, while an ‘International Hospitality Benchmark’ will be introduced to ensure internationally recognised training standards in tourism-related trades, including culinary arts.

The government also plans to finalise an integrated Tourism Master Plan incorporating the sector’s potential, diversity and modern creative themes.

For global marketing of creative products, the government will support Bangladeshi content creators and companies in accessing international markets. A national brand titled “Made in Bangladesh” will be launched to showcase the country’s creative potential at international festivals and markets.

The government also plans to establish technologically advanced studios meeting international standards to support the film industry and participation in OTT platforms.

A performance-based grant scheme will be introduced to provide financial support to new entrepreneurs and promote export-ready commercial projects in the creative sector.

The budget document also said initiatives would be taken to integrate rural artisans into global value chains, improve product quality and diversify designs while bringing artisans into mainstream financing and development processes.

A senior Finance Ministry official said the initial 300 crore taka allocation would support development of the creative economy in FY2026–27.

“In addition, a further 500 crore taka will be mobilised from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sector of Bangladesh Bank,” the official said.