The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Bangladesh currently comprises nine trade and professional organizations. These include five trade bodies—Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS), Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB), and Bangladesh Association of Contact Center and Outsourcing (BACCO)—along with four professional organizations. Among these, all except BACCO and ISPAB are currently being administered by government-appointed administrators.
Against this backdrop, over 200 ICT entrepreneurs and industry leaders convened under the banner of the United ICT Forum at the Banquet Hall of Banani Club in Dhaka, known as Bangladesh’s Silicon Valley, on Sunday night (February 2, 2025). The primary objective of the forum is to foster a close relationship with the government to ensure equal and non-discriminatory access to business opportunities for all stakeholders. Additionally, the forum aims to resolve organizational and policy-related issues within the sector.
Prominent industry figures present at the event included BACCO President Tanvir Ibrahim, Grameen Telecom Trust CEO Ahmed Arman Siddiqui, Managing Director of Digidot Limited Syeda Nafisa Reza (Barsha), Managing Director of AMZ Business Solutions Mosleh Uj Zaman, Managing Director of PrideSys IT Monowar Iqbal, Proprietor of Mazumdar IT Saidul Islam Mazumdar, Founder and Director of Ganesha Club Limited Md. Shoebur Rahman Khan, and Managing Director of Apsis Solutions Limited Mahtabul Amin, among others.
The forum is being coordinated by BACCO General Secretary and Managing Director of Wintel Limited, Faisal Alim. Addressing a query, he stated, “For the past 15 years, rampant corruption, nepotism, lack of coordination among key ICT organizations, policy inaction, and failure to safeguard members’ interests have hindered the sector’s progress. In light of this reality, we have initiated the formation of the United ICT Forum.”
He further mentioned that while a formal committee has yet to be established, it is expected to be formed within the next week. Following this, the forum will organize a seminar and summit, along with a series of crucial meetings.
According to sources, the United ICT Forum will focus on structural reforms within the country’s ICT organizations. The scope and agenda of the forum will be determined based on recommendations emerging from its meetings.
