Bangladesh and India are working jointly in the ICT sector, including investments in Hi-tech parks in Bangladesh, based on a historic and reliant relationship. As part of this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Saturday (March 27, 2021) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Damodar Das Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina for Indian grants to set up a project named ‘Bangladesh-India Digital Service and Employment Training Centre (BDSET).’
Senior Secretary, of ICTD N M Ziaul Alam on behalf of Bangladesh and Indian High Commissioner for India Vikram Kumar Doraiswami signed the agreement.
Under this agreement, the Indian grant of Taka 25 crore will be provided under the supervision of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority under the initiative of the Information and Communication Technology Division for the development of Digital Bangladesh Construction and ICT Industry.
A total of Taka 61.0259 crore will be spent on the project with the remaining amount of Taka 36.0259 crore being funded from the Bangladesh government’s own funds.
Under the Bangladesh-India Digital Service and Employment Training Centre (BDSET) scheme, specialized labs will be set up to provide training at 6 Software Technology Parks, Hi-Tech Parks and Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centres in Bangladesh. About 2500 trainees will receive training in the next two years from here. Training will be provided on the internet of things, machine learning, politics, artificial intelligence, extended reality and other higher subjects. In addition, 30 people will be sent to India for higher training on ICT for six months.
Gratefully recalled India’s outstanding contribution to the great war of independence in Bangladesh State Minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak said cooperation in various areas has expanded with the rapid resolution of various unresolved problems after the present Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi-led government came to power.
He said that at present the trade deficit between the two countries has come down and India’s investment in various sectors, especially in the ICT sector, has increased. At present, the Government of India is providing loans for setting up hi-tech parks in 12 districts of the country. He expressed optimism that India will further extend its cooperation in Bangladesh in the near future.
In this context, 30,000 youth will be provided IT training under the SCHEME of setting up OF IT/Hi-Tech Park (in 12 districts) at the district level under implementation by the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. Construction of 7 storeys (15,000 sq ft per floor) multitenant building (steel structure) in 12 districts under the scheme; All modern facilities including 3 storey (6,000 sq ft per floor) dormitory building will be provided in 8 districts. In addition, specialized labs will be set up in various universities under the scheme and training will be provided in districts and Upazilas.
