The necessary paperworks behind building a hi-tech park in Rajshahi is nearing its end, to the delight of locals.
On April 3 last year, the government approved a proposal to set up three information technology villages in Dhaka and Rajshahi, and a hi-tech park in Sylhet, according to the authorities concerned.
The cabinet committee on economic affairs then gave its nod to the ICT division’s proposals to set up an IT village at Karail in the capital, two in Rajshahi, and a hi-tech park in Sylhet under the Public Private Partnership.
After the proposal was made, different rights and civil groups in Rajshahi held discussions and other events, and formed a human chain, to speed up the formalities.
Nonetheless, a 50-acre site has been finally selected in Bulanpur, under the Rajpara police station in the city, for an IT village and agriculture biotechnology park, to be named “Varendra Silicon City.”
The primary procedure of acquiring 13 acres of the land has been completed, and within a short time, the parties concerned will be asked for bids, said Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi, at a press briefing at his office on Monday, as part of informing the public about the government’s achievements and development options.
“The hi-tech park will bring massive opportunities to locals in the city and neighbouring areas, as well as modern technology in different practical fields, including agriculture,” Mejbah added.
“Likewise, it will provide employment for a large number of people in this area, including ICT buffs and professionals,” he said.
“According to the government decision, the purpose behind building a hi-tech park and IT village is to attract foreign companies to invest in Bangladesh’s IT sector, as well as develop home-grown technological capabilities in our developing local industries,” Mejbah added.
