MoU sign between JBITA and BASIS Japan Desk at BASIS SoftExpo

The Japan Bangladesh IT Association (JBITA) has signed a MoU with BASIS Japan Desk as the first non-governmental organization in the country after the government of Bangladesh. Under the agreement, JBITA will expand the business of Bangladesh's IT sector in Japan and Basis Japan Desk will work with Japan's business areas in Bangladesh's IT sector.

Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) hosted the roundtable on Prospects and Opportunities with Japan. This roundtable took place in Bangabandhu Bangladesh–China Friendship Exhibition Center, Purbachal, Dhaka at 3 pm, 25th February 2023. 

The chief guest of this event was his excellency H.E. Mr. IWAMA Kiminori, Honorable Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh. The Special guest of this event was Mr. Md. Shamsul Arefin, Secretary, ICT Division and Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was the guest of honor of this roundtable.

The panelists of this event were Mr. Md. Mostafa Kamal, Director General (Additional Secretary), Department of ICT, Mr. Hikari Kawai, President, Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), Mr. Taro Kawachi, Managing Director, Bangladesh Sez Ltd, Mr. Bishunu Kumar Adhikary, Associate Professor, Doshisha University and Mr. Rejwanur Kabir Director & COO KK Destiny, Mr. Hiroki Watanabe, Representative of JICA Bangladesh, Samira Zuberi Himika, Senior Vice President, BASIS and Rafiqul Islam Maruf, Associate Professor, Khushu University. 

Keynote presenter of this event was Mr. Yuji Ando, Country Representative, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Mr. AKM Ahmedul Islam BABU, Director BASIS & Chairman BASIS Japan Desk moderated this roundtable and welcomed everyone participating in this discussion. 

Chief guest of the event his excellency Mr. IWAMA Kiminori praised Bangladesh and said that Bangladesh has a treasure tool of excellent human resources and the demand of skilled engineers in Japan’s private sector is high. 

Special guest Mr. Md. Shamsul Arefin discussed about the vast possibility of Japan to offer to Bangladeshi students. 

Special guest Masud Bin Momen talked about the co – operation is needed from the side of Bangladesh from Japan in cyber security sector.

Guest of Honour Mr. ICHIGUCHI Tomohide hopes to be a part of Bangladeshi government’s Smart Bangladesh – 2041 project and contribute to it. 

The keynote speaker Yuji Ando states that Bangladesh’s large market can be a good place to invest for Japanese companies. 

In conclusion, everyone agreed that Bangladesh and Japan have a long way to go as historical friends.