The Netherlands and Bangladesh will work together for a sustainable startup ecosystem and explore opportunities to improve relations between the two countries in the IT sector. This information was conveyed during a meeting between the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh Anne van Leeuwen. and the President of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) Russell T. Ahmed. The meeting was held at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Gulshan on Monday (April 4, 2022).
The Ambassador appreciated the progress made by the IT sector in Bangladesh in the last few years in terms of technology and economic transformation. He discussed with the BASIS President a wide range of issues related to the IT business, including a variety of challenges and opportunities.
During the meeting, Russell T Ahmed said that Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared Information Technology as the ‘Product of the Year’ of 2022. In line with these seven pillars, BASIS focuses on building future viable human resources, developing local industries, expanding overseas markets, increasing capital and financial incentives, building a prosperous ecosystem for startups, formulating policies to support intangible asset growth and promoting the IT sector. ICT has started working for the betterment of the industry. BASIS is also working to reach the target of 5 billion dollars by 2024 and 20 billion dollars by 2031 in the ICT sector.
BASIS President Russell T. Ahmed highlighted how the Dutch Embassy and BASIS can work together to increase the startup ecosystem, human resource capacity and increase exports in the IT sector.
Ambassador of the Netherlands Anne van Leeuwen mentioned that they are interested in the development of BASIS Bangladesh’s IT sector. The Netherlands is also interested in participating in Business to Business Matchmaking sessions, road shows and the next BASIS SoftExpo.
BASIS Senior Vice President Samira Zuberi Himika, Vice President (Administration) Abu Dawood Khan, Director Syed Mohammad Kamal, Assistant Manager (Trade Facilitation) Nadia Tabassum, Senior Economic and Commercial Affairs Adviser at the Kingdom Embassy of the Netherlands And CSR Activities Senior Adviser Mahjabin Quader were also present at the meeting.