Bangladesh government aims to integrate creative industries into mainstream economy

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has announced the government's intention to establish creative industries as a pillar of the mainstream economy and a tool for ‘soft power’. Speaking at a book launch event in Dhaka, the minister emphasized that sectors such as arts, culture, rural crafts, music, film, and theater should be integrated into national economic activities to drive GDP growth.

The government plans to move away from traditional economic models that sidelined culture. To support this transition, the state has allocated funds in the budget and seeks to build partnerships with the private sector and NGOs. Key initiatives include providing financial assistance, skill development, branding, and design support to local artisans and cultural workers.

Furthermore, the government aims to facilitate international marketing for local products through e-commerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba. This strategy is intended to improve the livelihoods of marginalized artists, create employment, and generate foreign exchange while strengthening Bangladesh's cultural presence on the global stage.