Freelancers Meet-2015 - a grand get-together of freelancers was held on December 8, 2015 at Krishibid Institution of Bangladesh (KIB) Auditorium, Dhaka. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, State Minister, ICT Division of Ministry of Post and Telecommunication graced the occasion as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of Freelancers Meet-2015. Keynote was presented by Santiago Gutierrez, president of World Information Technology Services Alliance (WITSA). Clyde Unno, ex-chairman, Accenture Japan, AHM Mahfuzul Arif, president, Bangladesh Computer Samity and Ahmedul Haque Bobi, president, Bangladesh Association of Call Center and Outsourcing (BACCO) were present as special guests. Md Sabur Khan, chairman, Daffodil Group presided over the programme. Mohammad Nuruzzaman, executive director, Daffodil International Academy and coordinator of the summit delivered the welcome speech at the inaugural seminar.
More than thousands of freelancers from all over the country along with young IT lovers participated in this grand gathering.
In the opening ceremony, 77 freelancers from different categories from all over the country were awarded for their outstanding performances in software, mobile apps, online blogging and content, graphics design, web application, SEO and online marketing, female outsourcing professional, individual outsourcing professional, startup company, outsourcing company and entrepreneurs. In the second part of the programme, technical sessions were held where country’s leading IT experts and successful freelancers presented their papers and guidelines for the newcomers in this sector.
Addressing as the chief guest Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, said, "Freelancers will be provided special cards through which they would be able to use high-speed bandwidth at low cost for uninterrupted speedy works. In this regard a contract is going to be signed with ISP Providers." He also said, "At present, female outsourcers are earning comparatively more (almost double) than male outsourcers, so we should encourage female outsourcers to be involved more in this sector." He also said that government has taken an initiative “Earn and Pay” project to increase the number of new entrepreneurs in ICT sector where freelancers will be provided single digit loan facilities.
While addressing keynote speaker Santiago Gutierrez, president of World Information Technology Services Alliance (WITSA) announced that Bangladesh will host the WITSA Assembly in Bangladesh in 2021. Advising the freelancers he said that he was a freelancer for a long time in his life and if anyone has dedication and integrity, he will succeed in life.
In his presidential address, Md Sabur Khan urged the government to come forward to set up a large number of venture capital company to support the freelancers. He urged the freelancers to come forward to help each other positively and assist the newcomers in the outsourcing arena, to help develop the country's economy.
