ICTD will propose PM to invest in IT abroad

The secret to the success of Digital Bangladesh Vision is public-private partnership. And in the last 13 years, BASIS has played the most important role in the ICT family in the path to success of this partnership. Therefore, the ICT department has identified 5 priorities in the development of this family in the implementation of the innovative Bangladesh vision of 2041 with the involvement of BASIS. State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak elaborated on the five issues at a press conference held at the ICT Department's conference center on Sunday. Heads of various organizations of ICT department were present at the time. Earlier, the state minister exchanged views with the leaders of the newly elected executive committee of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) for more than an hour and a half. At the press conference held after the meeting, Palak said, this time, the ICT department will introduce blended learning in the development of efficient quality resources in a joint venture of industry-government and academia. To this end, Rezaul Makshud Jahedi, Director General of ICT Department has been convened and several issue-based working groups have been formed by BASIS and ICT Department. In this case, BASIS Director Abu Dawood Khan will be given the responsibility of Chief Coordinator and efficient human resources will be developed by coordinating the necessary ministries and departments. The meeting also discussed the need to jointly appeal to the Finance Minister to extend the corporate tax-free facility of ICT sector from 2024 to 2030 for the development of ICT industry as well as to innovate and invest in necessary technologies to meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Declaring the decision of the meeting, the State Minister said, "These are the five areas that I have identified. We hope that in these five areas we will work in a collaborative effort between ICT department and BASIS - local, national and international level. This is a world of collaboration. ‘This is not to compete with each other, radar to collaborate to each other’.” This is not the time to get credit from countries like India, Japan or Korea only, rather this is the time to invest. Bangladesh will also invest in different parts of the world, said Palak. He said, "We will now propose the Prime Minister that the Line of Credit Bangladesh will be introducing in other countries like South Asia, Europe, America and Africa." Where we will introduce a $100 million line of credit; There we will offer Limited Tender Opportunity among BASIS enlisted Companies. So that they can introduce banking software and different types of other services.” Zunaid Ahmed Palak spoke about the various initiatives and steps taken by the government for the development of technology industry. "After human resources, business friendly policies, technological feats, innovation; Now only that remains is investment. A loan without collateral was once a dream. We have given crores of Taka amid the pandemic at 4 percent interest. In addition, we have introduced equity investment for startups. The government is taking risks to encourage entrepreneurs with innovative technology and business. Hon'ble Prime Minister has formed a disruptive company called Startup Bangladesh Limited Company. Apart from this, a grant of up to Tk. 10 lakhs each has been distributed. Already 236 companies have received this grant. We want to invest in thousands more startups.” Senior Secretary of the ICT Department NM Zeaul Alam, among others, addressed the function conducted by BASIS Senior Vice President Samira Zuberi Himika. BASIS President Russell T. Ahmed said that BASIS members are hungry to work in partnership to make this year's 'ICT Year Product' a success, we have not come with any demand to be fulfilled. He said, "We have not brought any demand in today's meeting. We know that if we can be a part of the roadmap then we will get all what we need. So today we have an activity-based discussion. At this time the Minister of State has built a bridge between us. We want to be a family and serve this country." The BASIS president also said that the meeting focused on a number of desperate solutions for transparency and accountability and how we can move the country forward through partnership. Khairul Amin, Director General of Digital Security Agency, Dr. Managing Director of Hi-Tech Park Authority. Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, Additional Secretary of ICT Department Ranjit Kumar, CCA Controller Abu Saeed Chowdhury, H Project Director. Md. Mehedi Masood, A2I Project Director Dewan Muhammad Humayun and others were also present at the press conference. At the end of the press conference, the new committee was formally welcomed by the State Minister for ICT and the Secretary.