In order to build a smart Bangladesh, France will provide technical and technological assistance to Bangladesh in the development of telecommunication and information technology sector. This decision was made while the French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy met the Minister of State for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on various issues related to bilateral interests, especially the expansion and advancement of telecommunication and smart technology. In the meeting, Palak said, “France is an important development partner and a true friend of Bangladesh. Under the advice of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy and the visionary and dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in digitization in the last 15 years. The successful launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is one of the achievements of the Sheikh Hasina’s government. Through this, Bangladesh has become the 57th proud member of the satellite club. We are working on the launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-II, the second satellite of the country. The progress of Sheikh Hasina’s government in various sectors, including the telecommunication and information technology sectors, is the wonder of the world”.
He also said, ‘Bangladesh is a very profitable place for investment. Therefore, I expect that France will come forward to invest in the telecommunication sector by using the government’s investment-friendly policy.
In line of building Smart Bangladesh in 2041, France can work on Skills Sharing and Capacity Building; Initiatives may include training programs for Bangladeshi officials, policymakers and professionals; May take initiative in innovation, research collaboration, joint research between French and Bangladeshi research institutes and universities and both countries. Startups can also bring together researchers and experts to work on cutting-edge technologies.
