by Mahmudul Hasan Raju
DHAKA, Aug 30, 2017 (BSS)-Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park in Rajshahi, one of the 28 hi-tech and software technology parks that the present government is building across the country, is expected to create job opportunities for around 14,000 youths.
“The project titled ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park, Rajshahi’, which was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in December 22, 2016, will be implemented at a cost of Taka 281.19 crore by Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority under Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division,” State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak told BSS.
While talking about the significance of establishing the dedicated IT park in Rajshahi, Palak said the city is hosting more than one lakh students of different educational institutes like Rajshahi University, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET) and Rajshahi College.
“Thinking about the career of these students, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from a rally in Rajshahi in 2011, had promised to construct this hi-tech park there. Now we are implementing her promise and we are hoping we would be able to create job opportunities for around 14,000 youths there. Rajshahi would become a digital economy hub by generating IT-based employment in that park,” Palak added.
The state minister said the park will play a key role in building Digital Bangladesh, accelerating the national economic development by expanding hi- tech industries, establishing hardware industries, IT/ITeS industries and creating a helpful condition to attract foreign companies to carry out related works.
“Construction work on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park in Rajshahi is going on in full swing as the boundary wall around the 31.63 acres of the project area is taking shape along with the five storied incubation centre in the first phase. We will invite tenders in September for different works including construction of 10 storied Multi Tenant Building (MTB) and land filling in the whole project area,” said project director AKAM Fazlul Haque.
The project director said youths will get opportunity to work in the gigantic area, estimated to be two lakh sqf, once the construction is finished.
“We have launched the project in July, 2016, and will complete the work by June, 2019. We are implementing the project with highest priority as it was promised by honourable prime minister. We hope we would be able to initiate the activities of the park by completing its construction within the stipulated time,” Haque added.
Deputy Project Director Md Mahfuzul Kabir said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park will provide incubation facility to new entrepreneur companies in IT and ITeS sectors along with drawing local and foreign investors.