Chattogram, 01 November 2025. Today, COAST Foundation organized a conference with young entrepreneurs in Chattogram, where speakers demanded the strengthening of economic inclusion of young entrepreneurs to eradicate poverty in the country. They further stated that in order for Bangladesh to become a truly developing nation, it must adopt economic programs similar to China, Malaysia, and South Korea, where young, educated entrepreneurs can directly engage in economic activities.
In the keynote address, Anwar Hossain stated that the COAST Foundation has been working on the socio-economic development of the poor communities in various areas of Chattogram district. Currently, COAST has 26,015 members in Chattogram, about 40% of whom are involved in small-scale economic enterprises. He added that COAST plans to identify promising small-scale economic activities in Chattogram district and will try to involve young, educated, and unemployed youth in these programs by ensuring necessary financial and technical support. He also mentioned that there are 47.5 million youth are 28% of total population. Only 7% of these youth have become as entrepreneurs. So that there is an opportunity to create new momentum developing entrepreneurs through GO-NGOs support.
Nazmun Nahar, a young entrepreneur, shared her success story. She advised new entrepreneurs not to lose heart and to move forward with adequate training. She started her with a small garments factory business with a BDT 5 lakh loan from the COAST Foundation. Subsequently, she has taken BDT 15 lakh in loans. Currently, her capital is approximately one crore Taka, and the factory employs 45 workers.
Salma Begum, District Fisheries Officer, said that the country’s young entrepreneurs must step forward. She also stressed the need to create new women entrepreneurs. She heard and thanked to COAST Foundation for broadcasting weather updates and disaster forecasts through special bulletins on Radio Saikot and Radio Meghna in coastal areas. She encouraged Entrepreneurs to avail government loans at a 4% interest rate after training as an opportunity.
Mr. Mezbah Uddin from the Department of Youth Development said that the COAST Foundation is always at the forefront during disasters. Being from the coastal area of Kutubdia, I am aware of the COASTs activities. COAST encourages guardians to fence their ponds by holding awareness meetings to reduce the drowning rate of children. Furthermore, Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director works on disaster response, embankments, pure water, satellite clinics, child protection, and livestock in Kutubdia. He added that the Chattogram Halishahar Government Youth Development Training Center provides institutional and non-institutional training to youths and creates young entrepreneurs by providing loans with necessary support.
Mrs. Rujina Akter, Metropolitan Agriculture Officer, said that women must take the lead among young entrepreneurs. Time should not be wasted pursuing government jobs. Every household should create entrepreneurs through vegetable cultivation, poultry farming, mushroom cultivation, cattle rearing, fish farms, and hatcheries should be established on uncultivated and fallow land around homes.
She specifically thanked the COAST for working on cultivating poison-free vegetables, coffee, cashew nuts, and dried fish. She mentioned that the Agriculture Department provides loans at a low-interest rate to entrepreneurs through training, and young entrepreneurs have the opportunity to obtain the loans.
The conference program moderated by Md. Rubel Hossain, Manager of COAST Foundation’s. Mrs. Salma Begum, District Fisheries Officer, Mrs. Rujina Akter, Chattogram Metropolitan Agriculture Officer, and Md. Mezbah Uddin, Youth Development Officer, Pahartoli, Chattogram, along with 20 successful and promising young entrepreneurs from different parts of the Chattogram district were participated and shared their experiences. The keynote paper was presented by Mr. Anwar Hossain, Regional Coordinator of the COAST Foundation, Chattogram Region.
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