The government has announced an ambitious plan to establish a nationwide network of creative hubs and promote region-based products under a “One-Village, One-Product” initiative aimed at expanding Bangladesh’s creative economy and generating large-scale employment opportunities.
The proposal, included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget presented on 11 June by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, seeks to raise the creative economy’s contribution to 1.5 per cent of GDP and create around 5 lakh new jobs across the country.
An initial allocation of Tk300 crore has been proposed for developing the sector, while an additional Tk500 crore is expected to be mobilised from corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds through Bangladesh Bank.
Under the initiative, the government plans to identify and promote locally produced creative goods such as handloom textiles, weaving products, pottery, terracotta items, shital pati, shataranji, wooden toys, handmade jewellery and other regional crafts.
To support the sector, a National Pool of Designers will be formed, and the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Design Centre will be upgraded to international standards to improve product quality and competitiveness.
A key feature of the plan is the development of creative hubs at national, divisional, district and upazila levels. These hubs will function as cultural and commercial centres, featuring exhibition spaces, bookstores, cineplexes, cafeterias and marketing facilities for local products.
A world-class central hub is proposed in Purbachal under a public-private partnership model, alongside feasibility studies for sites in Karwan Bazar, Tejgaon and BSCIC areas.
Officials say the initiative also includes innovation hubs in universities, aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and linking creativity with economic growth.
