The country’s information and communication technology (ICT) has the potential to increase its export earnings to USD 10 billion within the next two to three years.
Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Salman F Rahman, came up with this comment while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the newly elected executive council (2022-2023) of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) at the Gulankasha auditorium of International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital on Thursday night.
He said, “The way the entire export sector of the IT sector is going, it seems that it is possible to earn USD five billion this year. The pace at which the IT sector is growing, and the way BASIS is working for the development of the sector, it will be possible to net USD 10 billion in the next two to three years.”
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 1 this year declared ICT products as the national product of the year. It is a matter of joy at the time, challenging too. On the other hand, the Prime Minister has set a target for all of us. So I want to say that the government and my cooperation are always there to boost the export of IT and IT products. The ICT sector must be taken further with all our cooperation,” he added.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was supposed to be present at the event but could not attend as he has been infected with Covid-19.
Newly elected BASIS President Russell T. Ahmed said, “This year ICT is the product of the year. We will develop more by 2041. Our market will expand. We will try to contribute more to the economy. We are making various plans that will be helpful to contribute to the country’s GDP.”
On the other hand, at the beginning of the program, the outgoing president Syed Almas Kabir gave a presentation on various possibilities and development of the entire ICT sector. At the same time, the outgoing committee greeted the new committee with heartfelt greetings.
Among others, the event was also attended by members of the British High Commission, representatives of JICA and representatives of many foreign organisations.