COAST Foundation calls for empowering young entrepreneurs for inclusive growth
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Speakers at a series of youth entrepreneurship gatherings organised by COAST Foundation on Sunday called for empowering young entrepreneurs with better access to finance, skills, and market linkages to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The assemblies, held between October 19 and November 2 across COAST’s working areas — including Cox’s Bazar, Bhola, Chattogram, Cumilla, Noakhali, Barishal, and the small islands of the Bay of Bengal — were organised in line with the latest circular of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA).
Over 250 participants joined the events, including young entrepreneurs, NGO representatives, local government officials, microfinance practitioners, and media professionals.
Speakers emphasised that youth entrepreneurship should be viewed not merely as a livelihood option but as a key mechanism for poverty reduction, employment generation, and community resilience in coastal and rural regions.
Regional Program Coordinators of COAST Foundation presented keynotes at the events, noting that while young people make up nearly one-third of Bangladesh’s population, only a small percentage can access structured and regulated entrepreneurial support.
Participants recommended that COAST identify potential youth entrepreneurs, create flexible loan schemes with reduced interest rates, and prioritize business proposals for climate-affected and women entrepreneurs.
They also urged government authorities to expand youth entrepreneurship funds at district levels and develop public-private-NGO platforms for ongoing training and market linkages.
Several young entrepreneurs shared personal success stories of business transformation through COAST’s microfinance support — from tailoring units turning into factories to aquaculture startups creating rural jobs.
Officials from the Department of Youth Development lauded the initiative, saying coordinated efforts between NGOs and the government are vital to expanding youth-led enterprise opportunities across Bangladesh.