Tech Tour: Top Advisor Traces Jashore Park Progress
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Chief Advisor and Special Assistant responsible for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, visited the Jashore Software Technology Park to review its ongoing activities, including operations at the National Data Center (NDC) Disaster Recovery Data Center established by the Bangladesh Computer Council.
During the visit, he observed the new data center’s design, conducted a site inspection, and exchanged technical expertise to ensure the highest standards in the management and enhancement of both existing and proposed facilities.
Speaking with officials, the Chief Advisor expressed optimism that within the next six months, the expansion of the NDC and the Digital Recovery Data Center would be implemented.
On Wednesday, August 20, during his visit, he told park officials, “Unused facilities in the park should be utilized to organize hackathons, ideathons, startup development programs, and regular science fairs for students from schools and colleges across Jashore, thereby creating a startup ecosystem pipeline. Beyond this, regular seminars should be conducted to raise awareness on cybersecurity, digital verification, and cyber literacy.” He added that Jashore District Commissioner Md. Azaharul Islam would oversee the initiative comprehensively. Taiyeb also discussed facility security with Jashore Superintendent of Police Rownak Zahan.
He further inspected the operations of Service.com and Chaldal.com at the park.
Later, at the Jashore Circuit House, he heard concerns from various investors at the Software Technology Park. Addressing requests for lower rent, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said, “A committee has already been formed. Past politically biased decisions led to lower rent at Rajshahi Software Park, which should not be considered a standard. However, considering investors’ interests and employment pipelines, reasonable discounts on rent will be provided, provided that overdue rent and utility bills are cleared first.”
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb also remarked on previous mismanagement: “Maintenance firms appointed under politically influenced decisions in the past failed to resolve issues and misappropriated funds, causing harm to both the government and investors. The Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority is addressing these concerns.” Discussions also focused on ensuring business continuity for at least 40 actual investor firms in the park.
The visit and consultations were attended by Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park MD AKM Amirul Islam, Jashore District Commissioner Azaharul Islam, Superintendent of Police Rownak Zahan, data center authorities, e-commerce representatives, and various investors.
