State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, referring to the gift of Hon’ble Prime Minister for Barisal Hi-Tech Park to the young generation, said that Barisal must be built as a smart city by harnessing the talents and technology of the youth.
The state minister said this while addressing a discussion meeting on the occasion of laying foundation stone of Barisal IT / ‘Hi-Tech Park’ at Barisal Shilpakala Academy auditorium here today.
The state minister said 13,000 Sheikh Russel Digital Labs have been set up across the country at the initiative of the Information and Communication Technology Department to establish a knowledge-rich, technology-dependent society. Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centers are being set up in 64 districts. Besides, Sheikh Hasina Institute of Frontier Technology, a specialized lab at every university in the country is under process.
He said that 20 lakh jobs have already been created in IT / ITES sector. The export revenue of the ICT sector is currently $ 1.4 billion. The number of freelancers in the country is now 6 lakh. The youth of Barisal will take training in Barisal Hi-Tech Park and will build Barisal city as a silicon city.
The State Minister for ICT said that with the establishment of this high-tech park, the young talents of the area would be more focused on innovative work and would be able to earn foreign exchange by doing business in remote areas.
The young generation of Barisal will be able to prepare themselves for employment by developing their talents properly and will be able to create employment opportunities for others. Besides, Barisal city will be developed as a silicon city which will make a significant contribution in building a smart Bangladesh.
Mayor of Barisal City Corporation Serniabat Sadeq Abdullah was present as the chief guest on the occasion.
In his keynote address, Mayor of Barisal City Corporation Serniyabat Sadeq Abdullah thanked the Prime Minister and State Minister for ICT for constructing the park. He said that through this, development of ICT industry will take place in this area.
The Hi-Tech Park is being constructed on an area of about 6 and a half acres in Barisal under the project of setting up IT / Hi-Tech Park at the district level under the authority of Hi-Tech Park Authority of Information and Communication Technology Department with the funding of Government of India.
Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Dr. Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, Project Director of IT / Hi-Tech Park Project in 12 Districts Mamtazul Haque spoke among others on the occasion.
Barisal Police Commissioner, Kushtia Deputy Commissioner, concerned officials of ICT department, district Awami League leaders were also present on the occasion.
