The fifth international technology fair organized by the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been started at World Trade Center in Chattogram city. On Saturday, February 17, in the morning, the fair was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
Palak, while speaking as the chief guest, said that the government wants to attract foreign investment of more than one billion dollars directly in the government and private organizations under the Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology.
The state minister also expressed hope that companies in Chattogram will get a major portion of these investments. Expecting ‘Chattogram to be the future Silicon City of Bangladesh’, he announced to give 5000 square feet space of Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Center in Chandgao to The Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry for start-ups.
Palak said that all the start-ups who will be allocated space will get the opportunity to work for free for the first 6 months. After that, through the performance monitoring committee, you can run the program for free for another 6 months.
The state minister said that if a freelancer can become an entrepreneur in EPZ, World Trade Center or Hi-Tech Park; they will be able to provide employment opportunities to others. He said, if necessary, there will be an equity investment opportunity from 5 lakhs to 5 crores on behalf of Startup Bangladesh Company Limited; everything depends on right selection, right monitoring, right supervision and incubation.
The state minister also said that if any talented, innovative young people from Chattogram want to become entrepreneurs, the government, academia and industry will create all the opportunities they need. He said, currently our ICT sector is earning 1.9-billion-dollar export income and 2 million jobs for youth have been created. He said that in the next five years, 5 billion dollars in export income and 1 million new jobs will be created in this sector.
The State Minister recalled the audience that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already given three gifts to Chattogram; at first, he said, “Sheikh Kamal IT Business Incubator” center has been constructed at CUET at a cost of Tk 100 crore, in which free space has been provided to 10 investment companies and 25 startup companies. Second one is ‘Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Center’ at Chandgaon (8 IT projects) and the third one is Knowledge Park at Chandgaon (12 IT projects).
The Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Omar Hajjaz presided over the event while Md Abdullah Farid, President of Society of Chattogram IT Professionals (SCITP) was present as a special guest.