Dutch Tech Needs 40,000 Workers—Bangladesh Steps Up
The Netherlands' annual demand for approximately 40,000 skilled tech professionals creates a significant opportunity for Bangladesh to export skilled manpower and tech services. Industry experts believe that Bangladesh's tech industry can contribute significantly to the international market by fulfilling this demand.
This optimism was expressed at a seminar titled "Unlocking International Opportunities: Bangladesh-Dutch ICT Industry Collaboration," held on Thursday evening, January 29th, at the North South University Syndicate Hall in Bashundhara Residential Area, Bhatara, Dhaka. The seminar focused on strengthening relationships between Bangladeshi IT businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs with Dutch tech companies, and creating international employment opportunities for skilled workers.
In his keynote address, Dr. Khandaker Nahin Mamun, Head of Marketing and International Business Department at North South University, stated that the Netherlands currently has over 75,000 IT companies employing more than seven lakh skilled workers. The country requires approximately 40,000 new skilled tech professionals each year. The Dutch tech sector invests 8 to 10 billion Euros annually in research, a significant portion of their total production. Bangladesh can leverage this vast market and investment opportunity to export skilled manpower and technology services.
Professor Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of North South University, mentioned that they are developing demand-based skilled manpower by coordinating with various domestic and international institutions. NSU is ready to provide support if any initiative is taken targeting the Netherlands market.
At a special dialogue session during the seminar, Rezwanul Haque Jami, CEO of DigiBox, a tech organisation, stated that while the ready-made garment (RMG) sector's success is globally recognised, the technology sector hasn't achieved the same level of recognition. He emphasised the need to properly showcase the talent, skills, and potential of Bangladesh's tech sector in the global market.
The seminar, presided over by Shakhawat Hossain Mamun, President of the Dutch Bangla Chamber of Commerce & Industry, also featured speeches by Dr. Rokonuzzaman, Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University; Engineer Mohammad Shahriar Khan, Managing Director, NexCraft Limited; Murad Muhouti, IoT Sales Channel Lead, Cisco, Netherlands; Shahinur Islam, CEO, MindShaper; Newton B. A. Wahid, Trustee Member, ICT Olympiad Bangladesh; Dr. Mohammad Abdul Malek, Professor, Miyazaki International University, Japan; Md. Manjur Mahmud, President, Data Soft; and Imran Hashim, IT Chapter Lead, ABN Amro, along with representatives from related sectors.
Speakers emphasised strengthening trade relations between Bangladesh and the Netherlands, developing the IT sector, and increasing training, investment, and business cooperation. The speakers also highlighted the need to build a strong business network between the two countries. They stressed joint initiatives to create respectable international employment opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi IT professionals. Participants agreed on the importance of integrated cooperation in the ICT sector between Bangladesh and the Netherlands and new initiatives to expand skilled manpower exports. Experts believe that with proper planning and international coordination, Bangladesh's ICT sector can be permanently established in the European market, including the Netherlands.
DB Tech/ BNDM/ SM
