Bangladesh to emerge as a middle-income country shortly: Syed Ashraf

Minister for Public Administration Syed Ashraful Islam said here today that Bangladesh would emerge as a middle-income country in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, if the present pace of development could be continued. 

"Bangladesh is progressing fast by applying ICT (Information & Communication Technology) services in different sectors. That's why significant development could be achieved, particularly in Agriculture, Education, Health and ICT sectors," he said.

Syed Ashraful Islam said this while addressing as the chief guest at Mymensingh Divisional Innovation Fair-2016 that began at the local gymnasium today with a view to implementing the Vision-2021 through applying the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and to transform Bangladesh into a digital country. 

Divisional Commissioner GM Saleh Uddin chaired the function, also addressed, among others, by acting Cabinet Secretary (Coordination) NM Ziaul Alam, DIG of Police, Mymensingh Range Abdullah Al Mamun, Administrator of Zila Parisad (District Council) Advocate Zahirul Haque, Principal of Ananda Mohan College Zakir Hossain and ICT expert of Prime Minister's office Mamun Mahmud. Deputy Commissioner of Mymensingh district Mustakim Billah Faruqui delivered the welcome speech at the function.

Referring to the advancement of the ICT sector, Syed Ashraful Islam said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina created a revolution in digitalising the country. He called upon all, especially the young forces, to come forward for building a digital Bangladesh. 

Earlier, the minister visited some stalls at the fair and thanked the stall-keepers for their participation. 

Deputy Commissioner of Netrokona Mushfequr Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Jamalpur Md Shakhawat Hossain and Deputy Commissioner of Sherpur Dr M Parvez Rahim were present.

Besides, heads of different educational institutions and senior government officers, teachers, students and IT club members and It experts attended the fair.

At the outset of the function, one-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to state minister for Social Welfare Advocate Promode Mankin and former state minister for health Mujibur Rahman Fakir, who breathed their last recently. 

The fair will be concluded tomorrow (Friday). Cabinet Secretary Shafiul Alam will be present as the chief guest at the concluding ceremony and distribute prizes, sources said.

Source: BSS.