Bangladesh is preparing for a future knowledge based society through creative and innovative services. Through this, the country is strengthening its position in the digital economy. The government is working to create a new generation of digital leadership by developing a culture of innovation among young people.
State minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said this while speaking at a virtual program as chief guest titled virtual demo day ceremony titled ‘Bangladesh Frontier Startups Business Preparation Support’ was organized by the Korea Productivity Center (KPC) in South Korea with the 5 winners of ideaTHON on Tuesday.
He said, “The vision of Digital Bangladesh in the journey of national development of the last one decade is no longer a dream, it is an exciting reality. Bangladesh has transformed almost every opportunity in life through technology when the whole world is in economic recession due to lockdown. As a result, not only the economy of the country, but also the implementation of mass immunization programs through a single digital platform is being able to overcome obstacles”.
"Today, under the leadership of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the Prime Minister's ICT Adviser, we are realizing how much sustainable economic ecosystem can be built," Palak said. We have always tried to stay one step ahead in adopting the plan. We have set up more than 8,000 Sheikh Russell Digital Computer Labs in schools and colleges to empower academics. More than 5,000 of them are being set up in villages. Another 15,000 are awaiting installation,” he added.
Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun said that, “Bangladeshi Startups who joined in this program, successfully fulfilled the expectation of the program and the initial goals too. He also shared that Bangladesh's per capita GDP has tripled since 2009 and the country is doing great. Bangladesh has been managing the pandemic successfully and it is really impressive. Finally, the Honorable ambassador congratulated ideaTHON winners who have completed their 6 months long training in South Korea”.
N.M. Zeaul Alam, Senior Secretary of ICT Division graced the occasion as the Special Guest. The Chairman of the Korea Productivity Center (KPC) of South Korea Ahn Wan-gi gave a welcome speech at the ceremony. Executive Director (Additional Secretary) of BCC of Bangladesh Parthapratim Deb and Project Director (Joint Secretary) of the iDEA Project Md. Abdur Rakib was also present at the online program.
The five winning teams of the ideaTHON contest were selected through a tough contest among 3147 startup applicants last December 2020 on the Mujib Year. Krishian, Char Chokka Limited, ANTT Robotics Limited, Rokkhi Limited and Chobir Baksho.
