Both the government and the country’s information communication technology (ICT)-based entrepreneurs have jointly launched a massive drive for attracting the potential European entrepreneurs to the emerging ICT sector in Bangladesh.
As part of the move, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), the apex body of the Software and Information, has been organising a series of meeting not only in Dhaka but also in various cities in Europe to attract investors.
BASIS yesterday held the Europe-Bangladesh Technology Summit 2014 B2B Matchmaking session & seminar on “Business Partnership Opportunities for Foreign IT companies” in partnership with Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Nyenrod Business University.
The special business session, which was held at the BASIS office, also aimed at convincing the European investors, especially from the Netherlands.
Addressing the session, all the speakers sought more investment from the European countries in the country’s ICT-based industry.
A delegation comprised of ten Dutch IT companies took part in the day-long event which also included consultation between the Dutch delegation and the local entrepreneurs.
Dutch companies have expressed their keen interests to invest here in ICT related-service sector. They, however, wanted to know about the investment security situation in Bangladesh.
Replying to a quarry BASIS president Shameem Ahsan said, “Our ICT polity is the world’s most modern polity where industry people led in the policy making process.”
Regarding political uncertainty Shameem Ahsan said: We had faced some challenges during election period but we have already overcome such a volatile situation. Besides Bangladesh, some other countries like India and Vietnam also face the same sort of crisis but political instability can’t hold back our growths in the ICT sector.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak, state minister of ICT division said, “We have identified ICT as a key pillar and tools for the country’s socio-economic transformation and development.”
The government has demonstrated a determination to promote ICT services industry in the country – providing cheaper bandwidth and alternate connectivity, he added.
“Moreover, the government has taken appropriate and immediate measures in creating world class IT infrastructure by setting up dozen of Hi-Tech Park in different parts of the country.’’
The visiting Dutch delegation, which will visit Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park today, is scheduled to attend more networking sessions.
AKM Fahim Mashroor, director of BASIS, in his presentation said: "There has been no corporate tax for software and IT services and zero tax for the import of computer and hardware in Bangladesh. Simultaneously, foreign companies can also repatriate 100% of their profits."
Fahim Mashroor, former president of the BASIS, informed the Dutch entrepreneurs that the foreign currency regulation of Bangladesh is very simple while copy right and information security law is very resilient.
BASIS also advised the Nordics business delegation to hold meeting with Bangladesh Bank officials and the Board of Investment to get more information for building up their confidence.
BASIS informed the export revenue in this sector has witnessed an enormous increase from US$24m to $200m in last five years while they have targeted to reach $1bn within next five years.
The seminar was attended, among others, by Nazrul Islam Khan, secretary of ICT division and Carel Richter, Charge d’ Affaires, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Earlier, Bangladeshi delegate visited Hannover in Germany, Copenhagen in Denmark and Oslo in Norway as part of the move to attract the European investors in the country’s ICT sector.
“A Danish delegation will visit Bangladesh in June,” disclosed Russel T Ahmed, secretary general of BASIS.
