DHAKA, Aug 24, 2022 (BSS) - State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed
Palak today said that the governments of Bangladesh and Malaysia will work
more intensively together to develop a digital economy, and invest in IT
skills and develop a Muslim tourism sector here.
 
The ICT state minister expressed his optimism as Chairman of the World
Islamic Economic Forum Dr Syed Hamid Albar and Malaysian High Commissioner to
Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim paid a courtesy call on him at his office at ICT
Tower in the city's Agargaon area, said a press release.
 
The courtesy meeting explored mutual areas of interest for future
partnerships and collaborations in avenues of knowledge exchange, Fourth
Industrial Revolution (4IR) and startup opportunities between the two
countries.
 
In a bid to strengthen the existing relationship between the two brotherly
countries in the days to come with exchanging innovative innovations and
knowledge sharing, Palak said 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.
 
Expressing optimism about the enormous potential of freelancers and startups
to explore capacity development in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics,
nanotechnology, and cyber security, he 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 state minister said, the government is working on various innovative
initiatives in the IT sector of Bangladesh, especially in the startup, e-
commerce, and freelancing sectors.
 
Digital centre entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, are trying to
ensure the inclusiveness of marginalized people in the digital economy, he
added.
 
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, Palak
said.
 
Dr Albar praised Bangladesh's unprecedented progress in its journey towards
digital transformation saying that the two brotherly countries can work
together to develop IT skills and exchange programmes 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 in digital
transformation. The Malaysian delegation also expressed interest in exploring
collaboration in Muslim tourism and halal foods.
 
After the courtesy meeting with the ICT state minister, the Malaysian
delegation visited the a2i office at the ICT Tower.
 
Project Director of a2i Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir welcomed the
delegation at the a2i office and presented two publications 'The a2i Journey'
and 'My Digital Bangladesh' to them as a memento.
 
Among others, a2i Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury, Head of Social Innovation
Cluster Manik Mahmud, International Communications Advisor Ashfaq Zaman and
senior officials of a2i and WIEF were present on the occasion.