Lead generated by local IT firms in the just-concluded Basis SoftExpo was Tk120 crore, said Russell T Ahmed, CEO of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (Basis).
Ahmed also said some 92,000 people visited the exposition during the four-day expo where 204 companies showcased their goods and services.
Lead generation is a marketing process of capturing potential consumers who show interest in any product or service.
Basis organized the show at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal, to show the latest technological innovations and ICT capabilities of Bangladesh to the world.
Speaking at the concluding program on Sunday, its president Russell T Ahmed said that Basis will be the biggest partner in the implementation of Smart Bangladesh.
"We have analyzed that if we can build skilled manpower in R&D, industry promotion and demand generation in local and international markets, export earnings of $20 billion can be achieved by 2030."
However, IT industry experts emphasized the need for more policy support to boost its exports and create a smart nation.
Proper policy support can help the IT sector realize its true potential, they observed.
Salman F Rahman, the prime minister's private industry and investment adviser, said the businesses have to come up with the suggestion of what type of support they want and the government will accommodate it.
Two types of policy support -- back-to-back letters of credit and bonded warehouse facility -- have played a key role in the success of the garment industry, he said.
"For the development of the ICT sector, the ICT players must come up with suggestions on the policy support they need."
Naser Ezaz Bijoy, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh, said since Bangladesh has a limited amount of land and resources, the digital economy is very critical for the country.
Moynul Haque Siddiqui, founder and director of Fiber@Home said banks and financial institutions should start adopting cloud banking. "If we really want to be a smart country, software utilization and adoption are needed in every way of life."
Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak called upon the representatives of Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) in Dhaka to increase its support.
Stating that Basis has already made a shortlist of some potential startup companies in Japan and Bangladesh, the state minister said, "We believe that this bond of friendship will be strengthened only through our mutual cooperation and walking together."
