Palak opened a2i Finlab

With an aim to connect low-income people to the inclusive digital economy, a2i opened a platform named Finlab BD. State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak inaugurated the platform virtually on October 24. Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function, he presented various digital development figures of the government in the last 12 years as well as highlighted the reality of how technology keeps the country's economy and livelihood afloat during the ongoing pandemic. He highlighted the Wi-Fi project in 2041 to bring equality in the participation of men and women in the field of ICT in the country. He said the government cloud or G-Cloud will be launched next year to ensure the perpetuation of government services everywhere. Palak said the ICT department is working to implement the government's vision of digital transformation. That is why the youth of the country are working for the development of their own creative energy; helping to implement the researches done by universities. He also pledged his full support to Fintech Lab BD to stand by the youth in the country's fintech sector. He said Finlab would contribute to the development of the structure of inclusive economy that the government has already created. Using this lab, young entrepreneurs and innovators will be able to contribute to positive social development by solving the problems that exist in this sector. In this case, the ICT department will provide all kinds of cooperation including funding. a2i Policy Adviser Anir Chowdhury, UNCDF Representative Maria Pardomo, Micro Safe Corporation (MSc) Partner Anil Kumar Gupta and Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Ahmed Jamal.  In the program while a2i project director Dr.Dewan Muhammad Humayun presided over the function. Imrul Haque Sajeeb, Co-Founder of Seba Platform, Sayedul Haque Khandaker, CEO of UP, Sambit Samhu, MSc Representative and Krishna Thakar, Director of MetLife Asia were connected online. The program was hosted by a2i Program Manager Touhidul Hasan.