27-member national steering committee formed to develop creative economy

The government has formed a national steering committee to develop various sectors of the country's creative economy and harness its potential. The committee's primary responsibilities will include approving sector-wise roadmaps, reviewing implementation progress and ensuring coordination among relevant ministries and institutions.

The 27-member committee has been formed with the Finance and Planning Minister as its chairperson. The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Sunday.

The committee includes the Ministers for Culture, Industries, Commerce, and Housing and Public Works, the State Minister for Planning, the Prime Minister's Advisers for Finance and Planning, and Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, along with the Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Health and the Adviser for Information and Broadcasting as members.

Additionally, secretaries from the ministries of Finance, Information and Broadcasting, Youth and Sports, Cultural Affairs, Industries, Civil Aviation and Tourism, Women and Children Affairs, Information and Communication Technology, and Housing and Public Works will serve as committee members.

The private sector and creative industries are also represented on the committee. Besides the Chairman of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), representatives from BRAC, HSBC Bangladesh, Bengal Foundation and Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology have been included. Entrepreneur, fashion designer and model Bibi Russell has been named a sector specialist, with another sector specialist to be added.

The Additional Secretary (Macro and TDM) of the Finance Division will serve as the member secretary of the committee.

Regarding the committee's responsibilities, the notification stated that it must approve roadmaps prepared for various sectors of the creative economy and regularly review their implementation progress. Additionally, the committee is responsible for coordinating inter-ministerial and inter-agency activities, providing necessary guidance and reviewing the work of various sectoral committees.

The committee has been tasked with reviewing implementation progress every three months. Provisions have also been made to include new members if necessary. Meetings will be held as required, with the Finance Division providing secretarial support.