Freelancer Conference 2023, a gathering of freelancers across the country, began in Dhaka. The grand convention started with a day-long conference on Thursday at the celebrity convention hall in Gulshan. Planning Minister MA Mannan inaugurated the conference.
In his opening speech, the minister mentioned freelancers as ‘tools for building smart Bangladesh’ and said that there are 1 million freelancers in the country now. They make up 64 percent of the world’s successful freelancers. They bring hundreds of crores of remittances in the country every year.
He said that freelancers are contributing a lot to the development of the country in the current world market. The government is working to develop the skills of these young people in the formation of Smart Bangladesh. Due to this, freelancers are earning more and more. Our remittances are getting richer day by day with the money earned by freelancers. Therefore, the government has decided to give 4 percent cash assistance to freelancers if they bring their earned foreign income to the country through designated online platforms. Bangladesh Bank has issued a notification in this regard. Every bank in the country has been instructed to provide this 4 percent cash incentive.
Under the initiative of Bangladesh Freelancer Development Society, about 500 freelancers including district committee members and registered freelancers of BFDS participated in the conference chaired by Dr.Tanjiba Rahman, the president BFDS.
While speaking as a special guest at the conference, the Chief Executive Masrur Arefin said, “We have made a separate card with maximum benefits for freelancers. Through this they will get various facilities and backing loans. Loans up to Tk. 20 lakh will be given. And no charge will be taken on credit card.
“We have always stood by the side of freelancers in their happiness and sorrows.” BFDS is working relentlessly to advance the country in a talent and technology based economy along with improving their quality of life. Said the BFDS founder and senior Vice-president Jasim Uddin Joy.
While speaking as the president, the chairman of the organization Dr. Tanjiba Rahman said, the freelancing market in the world is one and a half trillion dollars. About one and a half million Bangladeshis are working online and offline in this market. We are the second largest freelancer in the world. But 8th in terms of income. We need to improve our skills. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given social recognition to freelancers. Freelancers are getting banking loans and other benefits through this freelancer ID card. Women at home are also earning money through freelancing.
He also said that the remittance fighters working on this international online platform of Bangladesh have many problems. BFDS is always working to solve these problems. We are working with the government to improve their skills, financial and social management barriers. We will hold this conference across the country.
Lanka Bangla Senior Vice President Khorshed Alam, IT Polli President Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan, BIAJF President Nazneen Nahar, BASIS Vice President Abu Dawood Khan and others also spoke on the occasion.
From bidding for freelancers to securing fine remittance income and availing government benefits, various sessions were held till the Iftar Mahfil.
