Prime Minister’s Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman today said that the present Awami League government has always been a business-friendly government and would continue to do so in future.
The PM’s adviser said this while addressing a virtual seminar on ‘Hi Tech Opportunities in Bangladesh’ as the chief guest organized jointly by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) and the veterans of the Semiconductor Industry from Silicon Valley, California, USA.
Dr Mashiur said semiconductors and high-techs are already there while those will remain as highly demanded items in the foreseeable future.
He also thanked MCCI for organizing such an important and timely event and assured that the government will always support any such initiative.
The special guest N.M. Zeaul Alam PAA, Senior Secretary, Information and Communication Technology Division thanked MCCI for organizing such an informative discussion and assured necessary policy support in this regard.
The discussion was thought-provoking and every panelist believes that it will open new windows of opportunity for Bangladesh, said a press release.
The release said the MCCI has been seriously working to develop an ecosystem for setting up the semiconductor industry in Bangladesh. The country being one of the fastest growing economies in the world with rapid business expansion and development, it is now essential to critically consider diversifying the manufacturing base with high-tech, high-value-added production capturing future potentials of global businesses.
The primary objectives of the seminar were to know and further explore existing and potential knowledge sources on semiconductor industry, to learn how to overcome the challenges for developing an ecosystem, to gain knowledge of the best practices of other countries and how effectively those practices can be adopted in Bangladesh, and how best the Bangladeshi diaspora can be effectively involved in the journey.
Habibullah N. Karim, vice president, MCCI acted as moderator and Farooq Ahmed, Secretary General & CEO, MCCI acted as the facilitator.
Panel discussants from MCCI were Md. Saiful Islam, president, MCCI, Dr. Arif Dowla, convener, committee on semiconductor, MCCI, Mohammed E. Rahman, CEO & President, ULKASEMI, M. A. Jabbar, managing director, DBL Group, Dr. M. Rokonuzzaman, Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, North South University.
Panel discussants from Silicon Valley include Dr. Yusuf Haque, chief technology officer and co founder, Exo Imaging, CEO, SliceX Inc., managing director, Maxim Integrated Products.
In his opening remarks, MCCI President Md. Saiful Islam emphasized the importance of hi-tech front where Bangladesh is still in infancy.
With LDC-graduation and loss of preferential tariffs in its export markets imminent, he said Bangladesh would do well to move away from its overdependence on readymade garments (RMG) in the export basket.
“Exploring the semiconductor industry could be the start of the diversification of products that Bangladesh needs,” he added.
Saiful also hoped that this seminar can be the start of the knowledge and guidance sharing that is required for success.
Finally, Anis A. Khan, director, MCCI delivered the vote of thanks.
Design & Devlopment : Ifad Technology
