Upazila-level youths to receive up to BDT 20 Lakh in grants and loans.
Bangladesh Bank Launches Collateral-Free Scheme 'Uddyog'
- Bangladesh Bank announced the 'Uddyog' initiative to empower young entrepreneurs across upazilas
- Successful applicants will get BDT 10 lakh in soft loans and BDT 10 lakh as grant without collateral
- Application starts post-circular on September 16, 2026, targeting youths up to 28 years old
To support young technological, agricultural, and service innovators across rural regions, Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new financing mechanism titled "Uddyog—Upazila-based Youth Entrepreneur Search, Identification, and Financing Program."
Announced during a press briefing on September 3 by Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan, the program provides each selected entrepreneur with a financial package of up to BDT 20 lakh. Half of the fund (up to BDT 10 lakh) will be disbursed as a collateral-free bank loan at a concessional interest rate of 4% to 7%, while the remaining BDT 10 lakh will be provided as an equity grant.
Candidates must be Bangladeshi citizens aged 28 or below applying from their respective local upazilas. Pre-existing business history is not mandatory; viable technical business concepts will be eligible across tech, services, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.
In the pilot phase, 640 youths will be chosen across 64 upazilas in 8 districts (Manikganj, Feni, Naogaon, Jhenaidah, Bhola, Habiganj, Rangpur, and Netrokona). The central bank aims to fund 5,000 young entrepreneurs annually once fully expanded, providing hands-on training, mentorship, and commercial linkage. Official guidelines will be published in a circular on September 16, with applications open for one month thereafter.
//DBTech/BBP/BTO/MIS//
