Young entrepreneurs drive self-reliant economy, speakers say

Young entrepreneurs continue to play a vital role in reducing poverty, creating employment and building an economically self-reliant Bangladesh, speakers said at a seminar in Cumilla on Saturday.

They made the remarks at a seminar titled “Young entrepreneurs and the journey toward a self-reliant Bangladesh”, organised by the newly formed Nangalkot upazila unit of Bashundhara Shuvosangho on Saturday afternoon.

Speakers said energetic young entrepreneurs now lead innovative initiatives across the country in IT, agriculture-based industries, freelancing, startups, and small and medium enterprises. Through these ventures, they not only change their own fortunes but also create jobs for others and strengthen the national economy.

Saiful Islam, general secretary of Bashundhara Shuvosangho, moderated the seminar. Among the speakers were Nangalkot upazila unit adviser  Abu Bakar Siddiq, lecturer Sahana Ferdous Koli, president Maruf Hossain, vice presidents Afzal Hossain Miaji and Ali Haider Masud, poet Hanif Rana, joint general secretary Touhid Ullah Majumder Raihan, and others.

The speakers said young entrepreneurs help reduce unemployment and accelerate economic activity. They noted that government and private training programmes, easy-access loans and technological support have opened new opportunities for the youth. With proper guidance, policy support and patronage, young entrepreneurs can further strengthen the economic foundation of future Bangladesh, they added.

The seminar began with an introduction to the newly formed Nangalkot upazila unit committee. On 19 December, a notification signed by Bashundhara Shuvosangho Director Zakaria Jaman announced the committee for a one-year term, naming  AKM Maruf Hossain as president, Saiful Islam as general secretary and Imran Hossain Sohan as organising secretary.

The committee advisers include Prof Mohammad Firoz Ul Alam Chowdhury, principal of Nangalkot Hasan Memorial Government Primary School; social workers Moinul Islam Majumder, Tajul Islam and Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan; Jamal Clinic director Bashiruzzaman Khan; AR Kamrul Hasan; Abu Bokor Siddiq Niaz; Shakhawat Hossain Shahin; Mojibur Rahman; Musa Kalimullah; Mohammad Nurul Afsar; lecturer Sahana Ferdous Koli; lecturer Nur Nahar Akter; and Yunus Mia Noman.

Other office bearers include vice presidents Abul Kalam Azad, poet Hanif Rana, lecturer Mir Sahab Uddin, lecturer Hasan, lecturer Toha Hasan Bhuiyan Swadhin, Babul Hossain, Umme Habiba, Ali Haider Masud and Afzal Hossain Miaji; joint general secretaries Touhid Ullah Majumder Raihan, Pranto Majumder, Siam Hossain, Naim Uddin, Khadijat-ul-Kobra and Umme Salma; assistant organising secretaries Zobayer Hossain and Mohammad Hridoy; finance secretary Maulana Yusuf Ali; office secretary Afsar Hossain; publicity secretary Abu Tayeb Iman; health affairs secretary  Mozammel Hossain; cultural affairs secretary Shahana Begum; women’s affairs secretary Mahmuda Akter Shraboni; religious affairs secretary Kazi Mostafa Kamal; and executive members Sheikh Rasel, Ala Uddin, Abadur Rahman, Sumaiya Akter and Mitu Akter.