Amir Khosru: “No Discrimination Between Local and Foreign Investors in New Telecom Policy
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury believes that the new telecom policy, aimed at creating the best, fastest, and most secure network, must ensure between local and foreign entrepreneurs in the development of spectrum and broadband.
According to him, an “unelected” government has limitations. He added that once a democratic government assumes office, it will review telecom and all other policies formulated by the current administration.
He made the remarks on Saturday, 22 November, at a press conference organized by TRNB at a hotel in Dhaka. The former BNP minister claimed that the telecom sector has been destroyed over the past 14–15 years by undermining the independence of the BTRC. He stressed the need for major reforms in the ICT and telecom sectors, emphasizing domestic investment, job creation, and cyber security. Therefore, local entrepreneurs must be prioritized in policy formulation, he said.
The meeting on the new telecom policy was presided over by TRNB President Samir Kumar De, while General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin delivered the welcome speech.
Among others who spoke were Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki; media personalities Masud Kamal and Abdun Noor Tushar; AIOB Member Brigadier General (Retd.) Mostafizur Rahman; CTO of Bahon Ltd. Rashed Amin Bidyut; journalist Masud Kamal; Robi CEO Shahed Alam; telecom policy analyst Abu Nazm Tanvir Hossain; Fiber@Home Chairman Moinul Haque Siddiqui; and ISPAB President Aminul Hakim.
Zonayed Saki said mobile operators are foreign-owned, raising concerns about their level of accountability. “Will the telecom policy fall under foreign control? ICT is a matter of national security—this must remain in the hands of local entrepreneurs,” he said.
ISPAB President Aminul Hakim said the new policy allows foreign companies, but not local entrepreneurs, to make cross-investments. “This is outright discrimination. We have invested Tk 5,000 crore into broadband internet, yet foreign players will enjoy opportunities that we will not. In the next five years, only government entities will profit under this structure,” he added.
