A network of like-minded IT businessmen has called for overcoming the polarizing divide to move the IT sector forward through united effort. But not as an alternative; rather the members of this network want to implement ‘Bangladesh 2.0’ by increasing domestic and foreign investment and by distributing work and creating employment in domestic institutions through correcting the old mistakes.
For that purpose, the businessmen have demanded that the work of the BASIS members should not be taken away by the government agencies and the executive members should not be allowed to take into business through understanding with the government. They feel that no one should be humiliated in the standing committee. Similarly, the law needs to be changed to reform the PP model. Laws should be changed and quality resources should be increased to correct the bureaucracy. Benchmarks need to be set. CPTU and PP should be brought in the interests of traders. And for such a change, there should be empowerment in the basic constitution like presidential election by direct vote of members and not by lottery.
General members of BASIS made these comments while expressing their views in the reform meeting held at Six Seasons Hotel in Gulshan of the capital on Saturday in the afternoon.
Syed Almas Kabir, the former president of BASIS said, fictitious data has been published in the IT sector so far. We have misled the youth with wrong data. We took the initiative to publish industry white-papers from the basis of market research and keep them regularly updated. But it could not be completed due to funding crisis. Local establishment must be prioritized in government procurement policies. We also made the necessary amendments in this regard working with the CPTU, although most of the members did not benefit from this as the general membership was not informed. Commercial organizations should not sit in the lap of the government and should not quarrel. BASIS should work with elbow distance so that the members can get the work by negotiating or discussing with the government if necessary.
Syed Almas Kabir also mentioned listening to the criticism of the then state minister about internet shutdown. Said, we would like to suggest membership audit from BASIS President’s Forum to check discrimination within BASIS and ensure membership of only genuine IT companies.
Shamim Ahsan, former president of BASIS, said that business does not need BASIS to succeed and the most successful companies do not rely on BASIS at all. As long as I was BASIS president, I did not participate in government work in ICT Ministry. I reformed the BASIS Constitution of 2015 which the next board did not allow to come into force. President-centered board should come out. Democracy should be practiced on the board of the organization. There should be a spokesperson from the Secretariat instead of the President.
BASIS director Mostafizur Rahman Sohail said that despite the new generation having many opportunities, they are still working in the country for loving the country. So, we have to follow the pulse of the current trend in the coming days. We have to get out of partisan mentality. Traders have to come out of the dark clutches of factionalism and misogyny. We need to find a way to improve the future.
In the meeting, Ryans proprietor Ahmed Hasan said that it is necessary to work with the government with the participation and pressure of the members, not begging the government. It is disrespectful to us that the minister will sit next to me for no reason. It is harmful to the industry. We have to talk to the government.
BASIS former Secretary General Forkan Bin Kashem said, BASIS is lagging behind in branding. In this situation, BASIS needs to give more importance to law and policy changes than to the constitution.
Former Vice Chairman Farhana A. Rahman said, we should be vocal that the internet should never be shut down again. That’s why we have to pressurize the interim government to formulate an internet policy. The IT sector needs to focus on areas such as keeping the internet uninterrupted, increasing foreign trade.
BIJF President Nazneen Nahar said that BASIS should regularly monitor the human resources and business management of small entrepreneurs.
Sabila Inu said that everyone needs to be vocal about improving the image of Bangladesh abroad and making the Internet available to everyone.
BASIS former vice president Mushfiqur Rahman said, nothing will happen if we look at the government. We have to move forward in our own strength. That’s why you need to raise your voice. Transparency should be brought in the organization.
Present Executive Committee Member Mir Shahrukh Islam, Former Vice Chairman Mamluq Quader, Shoaib Masood, Director Rashad Kabir, Members Nadeem Majid, Nafisa Barsha, Mridul Chowdhury, Tanjim Islam, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Minhaj Fahmi and others spoke under the direction of BASIS former director Rashad Kabir.
