Bangladesh’s creative economy will not realise its economic potential without a fundamental shift in mindset, a supportive policy ecosystem and measurable performance benchmarks, speakers said at a dialogue on Saturday.
They said the government’s first-ever major budgetary allocation for the sector is a positive step, but warned that investment alone would not be enough unless backed by reforms in taxation, copyright protection, licensing, infrastructure and branding.
The observations came at the latest edition of Ajker Agenda, organised by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), on the theme “Creative Economy: Slogan or Untapped Potential?”
The discussion came weeks after the government earmarked Tk 800 crore for the creative economy in the FY2026-27 budget — Tk 300 crore in direct allocation and another Tk 500 crore through Bangladesh Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund.
The initiative aims to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP, create nearly five lakh jobs and promote a “Created in Bangladesh” brand across film, music, publishing, digital content and design.
Moderated by PPRC Executive Chairman Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, the dialogue brought together filmmaker Tanim Noor, Chorki CEO Redwan Rony, Bengal Foundation Director General Luva Nahid Choudhury, playwright and creative director Bakar Bakul, UPL Managing Director Mahrukh Mohiuddin and Classical Handmade Products (CHP) Managing Director Md Tauhid Bin Abdus Salam.
The speakers agreed that Bangladesh possesses abundant creative talent but lacks the policy support and institutional ecosystem needed to transform creative industries into a sustainable economic sector.
Tanim Noor said a dedicated tax policy could unlock fresh investment in the film industry.
A 50 percent tax exemption for films, he said, would encourage both existing and new investors and strengthen local cinema.
Redwan Rony said Bangladesh urgently needs a dedicated regulatory framework for over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
He noted that local streaming services are taxed under the general corporate regime while global platforms such as Netflix and Amazon compete in the same market without facing comparable tax obligations, creating an uneven playing field.
Luva Nahid Choudhury said the country has no shortage of creative talent but lacks the institutions required to nurture and commercialise that talent.
She called for structural reforms, saying policy attention should extend beyond artists to include the large workforce engaged behind the scenes.
Bakar Bakul said theatre in Bangladesh has largely been treated as a voluntary cultural activity rather than an economic enterprise.
“As long as theatre depends primarily on unpaid work, it will remain difficult to build a professional and financially sustainable sector,” he said.
Mahrukh Mohiuddin described publishing as one of the country’s most neglected creative industries.
She said the National Book Policy has not been updated in line with changing realities, while weak enforcement of copyright laws continues to fuel digital and print piracy.
Md Tauhid Bin Abdus Salam stressed that quality certification, compliance and branding are essential if Bangladesh’s handicrafts and other creative products are to expand in international markets.
Concluding the discussion, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said Bangladesh now needs a comprehensive policy ecosystem to support the creative economy.
“A one-dimensional infrastructure approach will not take us forward,” he said.
He called for reforms in taxation, royalty sharing, copyright protection and licensing, alongside public-private partnerships and stronger institutional support.
“The government has expressed interest in taking the sector forward. Sustainable results, however, will require a coalition of stakeholders to jointly develop a strategic roadmap for the creative economy,” he added.