Government plans nationwide creative hubs to drive economic growth and employment

The government has announced an ambitious plan to develop a nationwide network of Creative Hubs and promote region-specific creative economy products through a “One Village, One Product” initiative, with the goal of increasing the creative economy’s contribution to 1.5 percent of Bangladesh’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creating 500,000 new jobs.

The initiative was outlined in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–27, which earmarks an initial allocation of Tk 300 crore for the creative economy sector. An additional Tk 500 crore is expected to be mobilised through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes of Bangladesh Bank.

Presenting the budget in parliament on June 11, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government aims to unlock the vast economic potential of the country’s creative industries and integrate them into the mainstream economy.

“We believe this promising sector can make a significant contribution through investment in human resource development, national branding and future prosperity,” he said.

As part of the “One Village, One Product” programme, the government will identify and promote creative products unique to different regions, including handloom and weaving products, pottery, terracotta, traditional crafts such as shital pati and shataranji, wooden toys, handmade jewellery and other local specialties.

To improve product development and competitiveness, the government plans to establish a National Pool of Designers and upgrade the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Design Centre to meet international standards.

A central component of the strategy is the establishment of Creative Hubs at national and regional levels. These hubs will function as both cultural and commercial centres, featuring cultural venues, bookstores with reading facilities, cineplexes, cafeterias and dedicated spaces for displaying, promoting and marketing products developed under the “One Village, One Product” initiative.

The government is also preparing a 10-year investment strategy and a time-bound action plan for developing regional Creative Hubs across the country.

Feasibility studies have already begun for several potential sites. A world-class central Creative Hub is proposed on 160 acres in Purbachal under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Assessments are also underway for establishing hubs on unused land in Karwan Bazar, Tejgaon near the Office of the Survey General, and on vacant industrial plots under BSCIC.

Beyond Dhaka, the government plans to establish Creative Hubs at divisional, district and upazila levels. Similar facilities are also proposed within the premises of Bangladesh Shishu Academy and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

According to the budget document, the hubs are essential for creating a vibrant creative economy ecosystem and expanding opportunities for cultural and economic activities nationwide.

Alongside the Creative Hub initiative, Innovation Hubs have already been established at engineering and technology universities. A roadmap is being prepared to expand these facilities to other universities and undergraduate colleges across the country.

The proposed measures are intended to strengthen the production, promotion and marketing of creative economy products while encouraging entrepreneurship, cultural activities and employment generation.

In his budget speech, the finance minister said the government seeks to democratise economic opportunities by creating new avenues for investment, innovation and jobs.

“We seek to democratise economic opportunities across society, enabling us to harness the Demographic Dividend and the Longevity Dividend and translate them into a Democratic Dividend,” he said.

Highlighting the country’s long-term economic vision, Khosru said Bangladesh aims to become a $1 trillion economy by 2034, driven by investment, productivity growth and job creation.

Through the combined implementation of the “One Village, One Product” programme, Creative Hubs, Innovation Hubs and design support initiatives, the government expects the creative economy sector to play a larger role in national development, generating 500,000 new jobs and raising its contribution to 1.5 percent of GDP.