State Minister for the ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP urged young innovators to tackle the economic crisis by providing technology-based solutions to the country's problems.
“Our youth is not short of talent, they need cooperation. We are providing that opportunity through the Bangabandhu Innovation Grant. Our young innovators will solve the problems not only of the country but also of the world.” Palak said at the opening ceremony of BIG 2023 at the ICT Tower in the capital's Agargaon on Tuesday.
Bangabandhu Innovation Grant (BIG) is being organized for the country's entrepreneurs since 2019 by the Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) Project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, read a press release.
The State Minister said that we have launched the iDEA Project and established Startup Bangladesh Limited to support entrepreneurs. A startup ecosystem will be developed in the country through these institutions. Besides, Bangladesh will become an attractive hub for investors in the future. Startups don't grow slowly; Goes up at rocket speed.
He pointed out that bKash, Nagad and Shopup have already become billion-dollar companies.
State Minister for the ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, was present as the chief guest of the program. The Secretary of the ICT Division Md. Shamsul Arefin, the Executive Director (Grade-1) of BCC Ranajit Kumar, and the Managing Director of the Startup Bangladesh Limited Sami Ahmed were present as the special guests of the event. The program was presided over by the Project Director (Joint Secretary) of iDEA project Md. Altaf Hossain.
The ICT Secretary Md. Shamsul Arefin said that we are ahead of the world in the number of young people. A country can move forward through youth.
He said that entrepreneurs are going to create a platform or steps to take Bangladesh forward by getting the BIG grant. He also expressed hope that those who will win through this innovation grant will take our country further through their new innovation.
BCC Executive Director (Grade-1) Ranajit Kumar mentioned in his speech that the number of startups has been increasing for the past few years. He expressed the view that the contribution of startups in the entry stage from Digital Bangladesh to Smart Bangladesh is undeniable.