1 million jobs in five years; AI policy within 5 months

Bangladesh TechConnect 2026 opened in Dhaka on Tuesday with a focus on next-generation digital infrastructure, high-speed connectivity and artificial intelligence (AI), alongside a government target of creating one million jobs in the digital sector over the next five years. Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam inaugurated the daylong event at the Celebrity Hall of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the morning of October 27.

Speakers said Bangladesh remained about 10 points behind the global average on several digital-capability indicators. Expanding internet coverage alone, they stressed, would not be enough to deliver meaningful digital transformation. People also need affordable devices, usable data packages and digital services available in Bangla.

The practical value of connectivity, discussions highlighted, should be measured by whether students can attend online classes without disruption, patients can obtain referrals and rural entrepreneurs can complete digital transactions without repeated difficulties.

Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said the government was working to strengthen technological capabilities, develop young people's skills and attract investment. Connectivity, digital transformation and AI were the three priority areas, he said.

He stressed the need for reliable, affordable and high-quality broadband and telecommunications infrastructure to bring underserved communities and small entrepreneurs into the digital ecosystem.

The minister also highlighted the practical use of digital technology to improve industrial productivity, supply chains, customer service and public services. To realise AI's benefits, he said, Bangladesh would need adequate computing and data capacity, skilled professionals and research, alongside cybersecurity, personal-data protection and accountability.

Referring to the government's target of creating one million jobs in the digital sector over five years, Anam underscored the importance of expanding broadband connectivity and strengthening digital security. In a rapidly changing world, he said, economic capacity was directly linked to technological competence. Technology must become a key driver of development to attract high-quality international investment, empower young people and achieve sustainable growth.

Referring to the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the minister said the government's priority was to provide inclusive, secure and high-speed digital connectivity from cities to remote villages. This, he said, could help Bangladesh emerge as a regional hub for technology and AI.

Technology adoption must reflect real needs

Given Bangladesh's exposure to natural disasters such as cyclones and floods, the conference called for disaster-resilient routers, uninterrupted backup power and trained emergency teams capable of restoring networks quickly.

Participants also urged a measured approach to standalone fifth-generation mobile networks, or 5G, and future sixth-generation, or 6G, technology. New systems should be adopted in an orderly manner, based on reasonable costs, actual demand and the country's readiness, rather than through unnecessary haste.

Telecommunications Secretary Dr Muhammad Kamruzzaman, in his welcome address, said the gap between Bangladesh's digital capabilities and the global average remained a major challenge. The country needed to narrow the divide between access to international internet connectivity and its meaningful use in people's daily lives.

He emphasised the respective roles of government and the private sector in the digital transformation agenda. The government's responsibility was to ensure predictable policies, transparent approval processes and a supportive environment, while industry should deliver quality services through innovation and investment. The supplied text does not provide the full details of the four principles he referred to.

ICT Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan, speaking as a special guest, referred to five pillars of the government's approach and said the AI policy was expected to be finalised within the next five to six months.

He said expanding digital connectivity was essential to empowering marginalised communities and stressed the importance of Bangla-friendly AI. The ICT Division was also working to broaden the scope of cybersecurity, he added. The supplied text does not detail the five pillars he mentioned.

Syeda Afroza, joint secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, presented the keynote paper.

Public-private partnership for technological progress

Organised by the Posts and Telecommunications Division in partnership with China-based global technology company Huawei, the conference brings together public- and private-sector stakeholders to discuss Bangladesh's next-generation digital infrastructure, high-speed connectivity, industrial productivity and wider adoption of AI.

Anam said Bangladesh TechConnect 2026 was more than a discussion platform. It was an opportunity to combine global experience with local innovation to develop practical policies and partnerships. Joint efforts by the government and the private sector, he said, could accelerate technology-driven transformation.

The discussions underscored that expanding networks alone would not be sufficient for Bangladesh's next phase of digital transformation. Affordable access, usable Bangla-language services, disaster-resilient networks, skilled professionals and secure AI capabilities will all be essential to making digital connectivity more meaningful.

//DBTech/IH/SMP/MVNO//