Bangladesh Startup Summit will be held annually
The first Bangladesh Startup Summit 2023 ended with the Inauguration of India-Bangladesh Startup Bridging Portal and multi-crore Fund of funds for future entrepreneurs, showcasing the services of top startups in the country, 40 sessions in two days on fintech, Edtech, Healthtech and Agritech and the Youth Co lab ended with awarding the startup winners.
At the Hotel InterContinental Grand Ballroom, the Prime Minister's Private Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman handed over the Youth Co-Lab Champion Palki Motors, first runner-up Dream Water and second runner-up We Grow entrepreneurs on Sunday night.
While speaking as the Chief Guest, the Prime Minister's Investment Adviser said that there is no obstacle to repatriate the income earned from investment in unlisted companies by ensuring the benefits of receiving foreign investment even if the startups are not listed in the capital market.
Generally, foreign investors are concerned about repatriation of investment income and territorial control, he said. I want to tell them clearly that there is no legal barrier in this regard. This is valid for listed companies. Those listed in the capital market get dividend and capital gain opportunities.
I hope that Bangladeshi corporates and foreigners will also invest in the Fund of Funds. That's why I call upon the Ice Department to take initiative.
He also said that Startup Bangladesh is doing great. I have gone to many of their events and publicly testify to them today. Hopefully, good innovative initiatives will come out from here in the future. What our youth are doing is inspiring.
Mentioning that the fiber optic cables are going to the district level, he also said that it will be possible to develop healthtech, agritech in the village.
ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that Bangladesh Startup Summit will be held annually from next year with the consent of the Prime Minister.
While speaking as the President, he said that the Prime Minister has taken 3 important initiatives in the inauguration ceremony. She Inaugurated the Bangladesh-India Startup Bridge, the multi-crore Fund of Funds and the Smart Bangladesh Accelerator. He has promoted startups with these announcements. Our youth are doing very well with their innovative ideas. We are focused on building the pool of talent. I hope startups are the backbone of smart Bangladesh.
Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh, said that although it was done for the first time, 72 investors and 3,000 entrepreneurs from different countries participated in the event. They have given our youth a chance. Hopefully this will be organized on a larger scale next year. Mr. Samsul Arefin, Chairman of Startup Bangladesh and Secretary of ICT Division, and Van Guen, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh also spoke at the Closing Ceremony.
