Unemployment rate among the country’s youths reached the highest 28 per cent, according to a study finding.
Apart from this, about 90 per cent of the employed youths are now engaged in the informal sector, while most rural youths work in agriculture and small business-related services and sales, as per the initial findings of the study.
Dr Manoj Roy, a lecturer at Lancaster University, the UK, presented the findings in a discussion titled “Dhaka Dialogue: Youth in Entrepreneurship- Opportunities and Challenges”, organised by the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD) in cooperation with BRAC University in the capital.
Md Shamsuddoha, chief executive of CPRD, delivered the address of welcome while Ayub Khan, deputy director, Department of Social Services, Tushar Kona Khandker, CBI expert, Ministry of Finance, Lakhsana Lucky, assistant director, Department of Women Affairs, and Md Shawkat Ali, assistant director, Department of Youth Development presented their views on the findings.
The study locations were Chapainawabganj, Sirajganj, Dacope, an upazila of Khulna district, Kishoreganj, Hatiya, an upazila of Noakhali district and Ramgati, an upazila of Lakshmipur district.
It aims at generating a deeper understanding of the patterns and drivers of delta livelihood shifts, with a specific focus on young entrepreneurs’ role in diversifying livelihoods.
The study team reached 2.0 million delta dwellers.
Citing the study findings, Dr Manoj Roy said the impediments like lack of cooperation in the government and non-government institutions, infrastructural limitations, lack of financial and technical supports, corruption, and psychological barriers are dampening the speed of the progress of entrepreneurship development.
In the introductory speech, Md Shamsuddoha said youths have to step forward to combat climate change and ensure sustainable development in this era of climate change.
Entrepreneurial activities should march on taking into account the fact of climate change and its consequent impacts, he said.
He stressed taking into consideration the eco-friendly technologies and geo-physical environment of the country while initiating entrepreneurial activities.
Ms Tushar said plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurial activities are there in our country, but they are not being utilised properly.
The merchandise items or services produced at the grassroot level are not being added properly to the market as well as the supply chain therein, she added.
Ms Lakhsana pointed out that the Department of Women Affairs is providing the women entrepreneurs with financial and technical support for entrepreneurial activities.
She stressed that ensuring an entrepreneur-friendly environment and connecting the women folk and the youth community with the entrepreneurial activities is a must to make sustainable development happen.