Govt seeks to make creative industries a new engine of GDP growth

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said the government wants to bring creative industries into the mainstream economy, positioning arts, culture and traditional craftsmanship as new drivers of economic growth, employment generation and Bangladesh’s soft power on the global stage.

“Arts and culture, rural handicrafts, music, films and theatre must be integrated into mainstream economic activities to become key drivers of the country’s future GDP growth and strengthen Bangladesh’s soft power internationally,” he said.

The finance minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the unveiling ceremony of Creative Footprints, a book jointly launched by Standard Chartered Bank and Bengal Foundation at a city hotel.

He said conventional economic thinking had long treated arts and culture as secondary to other productive sectors. The government now wants to move beyond that approach by recognising the creative economy as an important component of the country’s broader economic development strategy, according to a Finance Ministry press release.

The initiative reflects an ambition to transform Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage, traditional skills and artistic talent into economically productive assets, creating new opportunities for artists, artisans and cultural entrepreneurs.

Amir Khosru stressed that the government alone could not undertake all the initiatives needed to develop the sector. Effective collaboration among the government, private businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), supported by appropriate policies and financing, would be essential to unlock the creative economy’s potential.

He said the government had already allocated funds for the sector in the national budget, while private-sector organisations had expressed interest in making substantial investments.

### Financial support and access to global markets
Outlining the government’s plans, the finance minister said local artisans, painters and cultural workers would receive financial assistance, alongside support for skills development, product design, branding and marketing.

The government also plans to help artisans and creative entrepreneurs reach international customers through e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, eBay and Alibaba, he said.

The proposed measures are intended to help traditional producers overcome barriers to finance and market access, improve the commercial value of their products and secure fair prices for their work.

“ These initiatives would help marginalised artists and artisans secure fair prices for their products and convert their creative work into sustainable income,” the minister said.

He added that stronger commercial opportunities for creative workers could improve their living standards, generate employment and contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

For Bangladesh’s rural artisans and small-scale producers, access to international markets could open up opportunities beyond local sales, provided they receive adequate support in product development, quality assurance, packaging, digital marketing and export logistics.

Culture as a source of soft power

Emphasising the international significance of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage, Amir Khosru said the creative economy should not be viewed merely as a collection of artistic activities or commercial enterprises. It could also serve as a strategic instrument for strengthening the country’s global image and influence.

“Through music, theatre, films and handicrafts, we want to strengthen Bangladesh's position on the global stage,” he said.

Bangladesh’s music, cinema, performing arts, literature and traditional crafts offer avenues for presenting the country’s history, identity and cultural diversity to international audiences. Developing these sectors could create economic opportunities while expanding the reach of Bangladeshi culture beyond its borders.

The minister expressed optimism that coordinated efforts by the government and private sector would bring about a cultural and economic transformation, with creative talent receiving greater recognition as a source of livelihoods and national development.

He also thanked Standard Chartered Bank and Bengal Foundation for their initiative, highlighting the importance of partnerships between financial institutions and cultural organisations in promoting the sector.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke attended the event as a special guest. Bengal Foundation Chairman Abul Khair Litu and Standard Chartered Bank Chief Executive Officer Enamul Haque were also present.