Bangladesh seeks joint collaboration with Indian IT firms

The Bangladesh government is focusing on joint venture with Indian IT firms to build a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ said a senior Bangladeshi minister Friday.

He was addressing a gathering at the ICT (information and communication technology) East 2014 organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Eastern Region, in Kolkata.

“The Bangladesh government's special emphasis on strengthening digital infrastructure was a huge opportunity for Indian companies, especially from the eastern region,” said Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Bangladesh Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology.

Siddiqui was leading a high-powered team, including the country’s ICT secretary Nazrul Islam Khan, to explore ways and interact with CEOs to involve Indian IT companies in Bangladesh’s pursuit in e-governance, e-education, cyber security, capacity building, skill development and training programmes.

Bangladesh hopes to benefit from India's rich experience and expertise in the IT space, he added.

ICT secretary Khan said that Bangladesh wanted Indian companies to work, grow and prosper by getting involved in Bangladesh’s planned e-revolution.

“Bangladesh will welcome Indian companies to impart e-learning in Bangladesh for which the World Bank has sanctioned a loan, said Khan.

“Already, many Indian companies including majors such as TCS and Infosys’ are working in Bangladesh, mainly in the banking sector.

“But now as we wish to take a big leap forward, we want Indian companies to have a wider presence,” Khan added.

He said that in the next few years, panchayats, schools, hospitals and other important institutions would be connected through fibre optic, offering opportunities for Indian IT companies.

Khan said Indian IT firms were already trying bag various Bangladeshi projects like High Tech Parks in Sylhet (500 acres), Dhaka (232 acres) and Jessore (10 acres).

On the sidelines of the CII programme, the Bangladeshi ICT minister told reporters that Teesta river water was as important for Bangladesh as it was for India.