Bangladesh-Malaysia works to develop digital economy and IT skills

Published : 24 Aug 2022, 20:21

Sahos Desk

The Hon’ble State Minister for ICT Division, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, has expressed hope that the governments of Bangladesh and Malaysia will work more intensively together in the future on the development of the digital economy, investment in IT skills, and development of the Muslim tourism sector. The ICT State Minister expressed his optimism during a courtesy meeting with the Chairman of the World Islamic Economic Forum, Dr. Syed Hamid Albar, and Malaysia's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Her Excellency Haznah Md. Hashim, on Wednesday at ICT Tower in Agargaon. 

The courtesy meeting explored mutual areas of interest for future partnerships and collaborations in avenues of knowledge exchange, 4IR, and startup opportunities between the two countries. In a bid to strengthen the existing relationship between the two brotherly countries in the coming days by exchanging innovative innovations and knowledge sharing, ICT State Minister Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, said that projects are being implemented to create a supportive environment for the development of the digital economy in Bangladesh and to expand the domestic information and communication technology industry towards SMART Bangladesh Vision-2041. 

He expressed optimism about the enormous potential of freelancers and startups to explore capacity development in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, nanotechnology, and cyber security, and urged the World Islamic Economic Forum and the Malaysian government to collaborate in developing a mutually beneficial capacity development work plan. To create skilled manpower and job opportunities through the formulation of strategies and action plans to deal with the fourth industrial revolution, the government is working on various innovative initiatives in the IT sector of Bangladesh, especially in the startup, e-commerce, and freelancing sectors. Digital Centres entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, are trying to ensure the inclusiveness of marginalized people in the digital economy. The World Islamic Economic Forum and the government of Malaysia can come forward to work in partnership with the government of Bangladesh to improve the capabilities of these entrepreneurs on cutting-edge technology, added ICT State Minister.

Praising the unprecedented progress of Bangladesh in its journey towards digital transformation, Dr. Syed Hamid Albar said that the two brotherly countries can work together to develop ICT skills and exchange programs between nations for youth in education. The Malaysian delegation invited Bangladesh to participate in their upcoming roundtable event to present some of Bangladesh’s success stories of digital transformation. The Malaysian delegation also expressed interest in exploring collaboration in Muslim tourism and halal foods.

After a courtesy meeting with the Hon’ble State Minister for ICT Division, the Malaysian delegation visited the a2i office at the ICT Tower. At that time, Project Director of a2i, Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, welcomed the delegation and handed over publications ‘The a2i Journey’ and ‘My Digital Bangladesh’ as a memento. Meanwhile, both sides agreed on the opportunities for both a2i and the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) to join forces to host innovation exhibitions and knowledge-sharing workshops and webinars to create value for mutual benefit. Among others, a2i’s Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury, Head of Social Innovation Cluster Manik Mahmud, International Communications Advisor Ashfaq Zaman and senior official of a2i and WIEF. 

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