The Junior Chamber International (JCI), a non-profit membership organisation, has awarded three creative youths for their innovative entrepreneurship projects under three categories – social initiative, e-commerce and industrial development.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed handed over the awards to the entrepreneurs at a function held at a city hotel on Friday. The JCI awarded the entrepreneurs with “Creative Young Entrepreneurs Award 2014”.
The three youths, who received the awards for their outstanding contribution in shaping the economy based on the innovation, creativity and impact of their projects, are Summit Group Director Ayesha Aziz Khan, Amar Desh Amar Gram Managing Director Sadequa Hasan Sejuti and Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) founder and president Ejaj Ahmad.
The award was given to the three creative youths, as they have started a new business using their creativity in product development, service development, and also in their approach to the market access.
Amar Desh Amar Gram is a platform involving 80% of the rural people, who are seeking and taking advantages or opportunities or working together to solve their problems and therefore empowering them to turn their dreams into reality.
The typical activities of the project includes access to local government, networking facilities, local training, computer education for development, access to country web portal, supporting e-commerce platform etc.
Another award recipient project BYLC aims to create an inclusive, tolerant and just society by training the next generation home-grown leaders. Since its inception in 2009, there are 2000 BYLC alumni, who have logged over 25000 community service hours, and many of which have gone to leadership roles across the country.
Addressing the ceremony, the commerce minister said: “Bangladesh is growing as one of the 11 fastest growing country. I personally believe that you, the youths are so capable to take over the charge of the economy a day.”
State minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak noted that the award recognised the wonderful contribution of the entrepreneurs of Bangladesh.
“JCI is promoting entrepreneurship among young community, which is the engine for economic growth. Entrepreneurship is not encouraged in our society as most of the parents do want their children to become doctor, engineer and civil servant etc. That is why the young force always runs after lucrative jobs,” he said.
He pointed out that one third of the country’s population is in between 15 years and 35 years while another third is below 15 years and two third is under 35 years.
“To become a mid-income country, we have to ensure best utilisation of our youth force. It is more important for government to create, promote and ensuring proper atmosphere for youth empowerment.” he added.
JCI National President 2014 Amzad Hussain said still there is a huge need of creating more entrepreneurs to make Bangladesh a mid-income country.
“We should not forget the contribution of small enterprises, which is 25% of our GDP. But the question is who will create this entrepreneur. Idea and initial capital are the two major obstacles in creating new entrepreneurs,” pointed out Hussain.
He also said the JCI is promoting ideas and the end of this year, it is planning to launch JCI plan competition to generate ideas and is also planning to make a short training programme for people from where they (youth) can learn entrepreneurship and business for setting up a new company or international trade.
He urged all his members to step forward and start an investors club where the JCI members can promote and invest in these new ideas.
JCI is a nonprofit organisation of young active citizen’s age in between 18 and 40 years, who are engaged and committed to creating impact in their communities. The organisation has membership in 120 countries across the world.
