Initiatives promised for pandemic-hit young entrepreneurs

State ministers of two crucial ministries have promised to launch initiatives for young entrepreneurs and employees who fear losing their sources of earning at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has slowed down global economic and business growth.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Swapan Bhattacharjee voiced the words of hope on Friday night in the second episode of "Let's Talk", organised by Young Bangla to discuss the array of initiatives taken by youths to deal with the Covid-19 crisis.

The virtual session, conducted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's special assistant Shah Ali Farhad, was also attended by: Mohammad Zainul Bari, secretary to social welfare ministry; Korvi Rakshand, founder of JAAGO Foundation; Israt Farzana Tanni of Young Bangla; Kamrun Nesa Mira, a winner of Joy Bangla Youth Award; and Rafi Hoque Ontor of Volunteer for Bangladesh.

Based on discussion with the youths, Israt Farzana Tanni, as their representative, came up with a handful of recommendations for the youth who are bearing the brunt of the Covid-19 crisis.

The recommendations include rise in participation of youths in the national youth council, receiving suggestions of youths during the detailed assessment on National Youth Action Plan, incentivising and recognising the organisations of young entrepreneurs, and allocating funds for social innovation urgently.

She also recommended involving youths to a greater extent in social safety net management, disaster preparedness and management, community-based health programmes, and national service programmes to fight the Covid-19 crisis.

"The scopes of youths in the projects aimed at boosting local and export income must be increased," said Israt Farzana Tanni.

They also advocated for an autonomous organisation dedicated to the interests of youths in addition to preparing a list of all young volunteers and volunteering organisations in the country.

Following the recommendations placed by Tonni, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said, "I will talk about allocating funds for the youths who became jobless. They have to be endowed with loans with low or no interests to reinvigorate their businesses."

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Swapan Bhattacharjee said, "There should be required guidelines and training geared towards catalysing and channeling the efforts of youths. Financial support should be provided where required. I fully agree with the recommendations."

Zainul Bari, secretary at the social welfare ministry, said, "We have urban community development projects in city corporations and urban areas. There are many scopes for youths to work for different projects over there. We offer different trainings and small loans. Youths can harness that advantage to create self-employment opportunities for themselves."

There will be a total of seven episodes of the virtual discussion taking place until Sunday.

Shuchona Foundation Chairperson and Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Thematic Ambassador Saima Wazed Hossain will deliver her speech in the ending session on the third day.

Ministers, state ministers, lawmakers, government officials, and high officials of the private sectors will interact with youths in almost all the sessions.

Young Bangla has been organising "Let's Talk" since 2014 to create a bridge between the country's policymakers and youths.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina graced the programme with her presence before the 2018 national election.

Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy also interacted with youths in a handful of episodes of "Let's Talk".