Staff Reporter:
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, MP yesterday said the government is working to build a modern, technology-based and Smart Bangladesh.
The minister said this when a delegation of leading Chinese technology and telecommunications compa-nies, led by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, met him at his office in the ministry, accord-ing to a PID release.
Expressing interest in establishing an AI training centre in Bangladesh, he said young men and women would be provided training on modern technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Through such train-ing, the country’s youths would be able to prove themselves as part of the information technology revo-lution, he said.
Praising China’s long-standing cooperation in Bangladesh’s digital advancement, he said Chinese com-panies have been making important contributions to the development of the country’s telecommunica-tions and ICT infrastructure.
The minister further said Bangladesh always believes in multilateral cooperation, technological ad-vancement and expansion of digital connectivity.
He expressed hope that the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and China would become stronger in future and open new horizons for the welfare of the people of the two countries.
At the meeting, the Chinese ambassador said leading Chinese technology companies have been operating successfully in Bangladesh over the past three to four decades.
At present, the amount of investment by Chinese companies in Bangladesh exceeds $1.5 billion and nearly 98 percent of the country’s population has come under mobile network coverage with their tech-nological support, he said.
Besides, more than 10,000 employment opportunities have been created through these investments, the ambassador added.
He also said mobile phone manufacturing plants have been established in Bangladesh with the coopera-tion of Chinese companies and more than eight million mobile devices are being marketed every year.
Chinese companies have also played an important role in the development of the national ICT network, construction of the national data centre and implementation of digital connectivity projects, he added.
At the meeting, interest was expressed in jointly working for the development of the AI sector in Bang-ladesh. Discussions were also held on enhancing mutual cooperation in the expansion of 5G networks, development of digital infrastructure and technology transfer in the future.
At the meeting, cooperation from Bangladesh was sought regarding various international initiatives re-lated to the International Telecommunication Union, particularly hosting the World Radio communica-tion Conference 2027 in Shanghai and China’s candidature for the International Telecommunication Un-ion Council and Radio Regulation Board.
Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Bilquis Jahan Rimi, embassy officials, and representa-tives of Huawei and ZTE were present during the meeting.
