DHAKA: The Startup Association of Bangladesh (SAB) has urged all political parties to prioritise the startup sector in their election manifestos ahead of the upcoming national election, warning that continued neglect could undermine Bangladesh’s innovation-driven economic future.
In a press statement issued on February 2, 2026, the association said startups play a critical role in employment generation, technological advancement, and long-term economic resilience, yet remain largely overlooked in political commitments and national planning.
SAB noted that countries such as India, Singapore, Israel, and Vietnam have successfully developed strong startup ecosystems through clear state policies, investment facilitation, and tax incentives. In contrast, Bangladesh’s startup sector continues to struggle due to the absence of a comprehensive policy framework and structured institutional support.
The association warned that without forward-looking state decisions centred on startups, Bangladesh may face difficulties in creating technology-based jobs, attracting foreign investment, and diversifying its export base in the coming years.
To address these challenges, SAB placed a 10-point demand for inclusion in election manifestos. These include the formulation of a modern and integrated national startup policy covering the journey from inception to scale-up, legal recognition of startups as a separate category distinct from SMEs, and tax exemptions and incentives to encourage local venture capital and angel investment.
The demands also include the creation of a government–private joint startup fund under a co-investment model, time-bound tax holidays and simplified tax procedures, regulatory sandbox facilities for innovative sectors such as fintech, healthtech, and agritech, and a digital one-stop system for fast startup registration and closure.
SAB further called for international branding support through startup diplomacy and global exhibitions, the establishment of incubators, accelerators, and skill development centres outside Dhaka, and the development of district- and division-based startup hubs. It also proposed the introduction of special quotas for domestic startup products and services in public procurement.
SAB President Saidul Islam said the startup sector is not merely an economic segment but a foundation for youth employment, technological self-reliance, and the vision of a Smart Bangladesh.
He added that to build an innovation-friendly and inclusive economy, political parties contesting the upcoming national election must reflect these demands in their election manifestos.
The statement was circulated by the Startup Association of Bangladesh through its Director (Media and Communications), Md. Mahedi Kawser.
