Budget FY27: 'Creative Economy' proposed to receive Tk1,000cr from multiple funds
Finance ministry sources said the government aims to boost the creative sector’s GDP contribution to 1.5% through coordinated public, private and non-government initiatives
The government is likely to allocate a total of Tk1,000 crore in next budget to support the development of Bangladesh's creative economy from multiple funding sources, according to finance ministry sources.
Of the total planned funding, Tk300 crore has been proposed as a direct government allocation for the creative economy sector, while an additional Tk500 crore is expected to be mobilised through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of Bangladesh Bank.
A further Tk200 crore has been proposed for sports development under the broader creative economy agenda.
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Finance ministry sources said the government aims to unlock the country's vast creative industry potential and raise the sector's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) to 1.5% through coordinated initiatives involving the public, private and non-government sectors.
As part of the strategy, the government plans to establish a world-class Central Creative Hub on 160 acres in Purbachal under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Similar creative hubs are also planned at divisional, district and upazila levels, including within the premises of Shishu Academy and Shilpakala Academy.
Authorities are also preparing plans to launch innovation hubs at universities and undergraduate colleges while identifying creative economy products under the "One Village, One Product" initiative.
These include handloom products, pottery, weaving, shital pati, shataranji, wooden toys, handmade jewellery and terracotta crafts.
The government is also moving to create a National Pool of Designers and upgrade the design centre under the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) to international standards.
Finance ministry sources further said initiatives are underway to restore cultural heritage sites and heritage buildings and use them as venues for international festivals through pilot projects. A national and regional calendar incorporating cultural and traditional festivals is also being prepared.
The tourism sector will be integrated more closely with the creative economy through the establishment of an international-standard specialised training institute, internationally benchmarked hospitality training and certification programmes, and the finalisation of a comprehensive tourism master plan.
The government also plans to launch a national branding initiative titled "Created in Bangladesh" to showcase the country's creative potential in international markets, while promoting theatre, cultural heritage and film production through the development of internationally compliant studio facilities for the OTT industry.
Sports has been identified as a key pillar of the creative economy, with the government seeking to transform it into an income-generating and employment-oriented sector rather than merely a source of entertainment.
Finance ministry sources said Tk200 crore has been proposed for the "Notun Kuri Sports" programme in FY2026-27.
The initiative provides scholarships to talented athletes aged between 12 and 14 in eight disciplines, including football, cricket, kabaddi, athletics, badminton, chess, swimming and martial arts.
The programme has already registered 168,622 young athletes nationwide, including 121,492 boys and 47,130 girls, according to the sources.
In addition, the government plans to establish sports villages in all 64 districts, strengthen sports diplomacy and organise regular competitions at different levels to ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate in at least one sporting activity.
