It has been decided to privatize BTCL, Teletalk, TSS and Dept of Posts in July: Palak
By July this year, it will be determined how the state-owned telecommunication companies Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL), Teletalk Bangladesh Limited, Telephone Industry Corporation (TSS) and Department of Posts will be left to the private sector on the basis of how many partnerships and in what manner.
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said this in response to a question from journalists after the prize distribution ceremony of the 'Women in Tech' held at the capital's Pan Pacific Hotel on Wednesday, June 4.
The state minister said that behind these four institutions, the government incurs a great loss every year. But there are thousands of manpower. There are fixed assets. And there are also on-demand services. But in the observation of the last 15 months, I realized that due to the lack of management, transparency, accountability and quality service standards, these losses have to be incurred. In this way it is not possible to give losses year after year. So, we have to think whether to leave it partially or completely to the private sector. If any domestic and foreign investors are attracted, then we will try how to take these companies to a profitable level. We may be interested in full or partial investment. If there is a proposal for partnership even at the operational or management level, we will try it. By this we may be able to protect BTCL, Teletalk and TSS from financial loss. Similarly, we believe that we can make the assets of the Department of Posts profitable by aligning them with the needs of the private sector and citizens.
He said, we want to make BTRC modern, strong and business friendly. Due to which we are going to make Telecom Act. Public private partnership will be good to strengthen our companies. In that case, I will go for any kind of partnership at the end of June and confirm by talking to the Prime Minister and the ICT advisor after seeing their report.
Palak also said, I am analyzing the income; in which sector income can be increased.
Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Zara Jabeen Mahbub, Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Eng. Mohiuddin Ahmed, head of the UNESCO office and representative in Bangladesh Dr. Suzan Vize, IUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam and Pan Junfeng, President of Huawei South Asia and CEO of Huawei Bangladesh were present at the program.
