Bangladesh Bank’s (BB) youth entrepreneurship programme, UDYOG, has attracted 18,444 applications from 64 upazilas across eight districts in its first month, ahead of its expansion to the remaining 56 districts in November.
The central bank disclosed the figures on Saturday, saying applications under UDYOG: Upazila-Driven Youth Opportunity for Growth were submitted between 16 September and 15 October through scheduled bank branches in the participating upazilas.
The initiative aims to identify promising young entrepreneurs, select eligible candidates for financing and create employment through business development at the upazila level.
Netrakona led the initial rollout with 5,351 applications, accounting for about 29 per cent of the total.
Rangpur followed with 2,745 applications, Naogaon with 2,456 and Jhenaidah with 2,191. Habiganj received 1,552, Bhola 1,545, Manikganj 1,343 and Feni 1,261.
The eight districts, one from each administrative division, formed the programme’s initial activation phase.
Applications will open across all upazilas in the remaining 56 districts on 1 November and continue until 30 November.
Interested young entrepreneurs must complete the prescribed application form and submit it to any scheduled bank branch in their respective upazila.
Forms can be downloaded from Bangladesh Bank’s website, its SME portal and the websites of scheduled banks.
Bangladesh Bank issued the programme’s guidelines on 13 September. The guidelines are available on the central bank’s official website and SME portal.
Although the initial response shows considerable interest, Bangladesh Bank has not disclosed how many applicants will receive financing or the total funding available under the programme.
The central bank has sought cooperation from relevant stakeholders to expand youth entrepreneurship, encourage innovative businesses and generate employment across the country.
