Tie-tup to tap ICT openings

Karar Mahmudul Hassan, Secretary, Ministry of Science & Information and Communication Technology speaks at the ceremony.

Mohammed Zakir Hossain, Educational Consultant, WDL, UK and Arifur Rahman, convenour, CCOAB signed the contract at a local restaurant in Dhaka. Karar Mahmudul Hassan, Secretary, Ministry of Science & Information and Communication Technology was present as chief guest at the ceremony. Members and associates of CCOAB were also present at the occasion.

CCOAB and WDL-UK will cooperate in IT software and services including internet, e-commerce, information security, telecommunications and mobile commerce, human resource training, knowledge management, research and development. The two associations will lobby for policies, which will promote the growth of IT industry in Bangladesh. They will share information through periodicals and other publications. Surveys and research reports are to be exchanged. Trade Missions between the two countries will be promoted and the association will assist publicise seminars and exhibitions.

The MOU would assist member companies in Bangladesh and the UK to explore business opportunities. There is no doubt that United Kingdom is one of the most successful locations in Europe for attracting Software companies. The UK's software sector is one of the most vibrant and fastest growing areas in the economy with a turnover of 9.9 billion Sterling Pound in 2001 that is forecast to increase to 15.69 billion Sterling Pound by 2006 (EITO Statistical Year Book-2002, and Key Note 2002).

While speaking at the ceremony, Mohammed Zakir Hossain said, "In UK about 1 million people are employed in computer related fields and more than half of these people work directly for software enterprises (Labor Force Survey, 2001). Major investors in the UK's Software sector include Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, SAP AG, Compaq Computer Corporation, Computer Associates International. More than 130,000 software and computer service companies based in the UK." He also said, "I believe that Bangladesh has achieved a huge knowledge about the Information Technology from the world market. Just India is an exact model for Bangladesh. Bangalore, Mumbai, Karnataka.... are the key places for the IT industry of India where huge foreign investment done by overseas IT companies and a lot of job opportunities created."

While speaking at the occasion, Arifur Rahman said that Bangladesh should have a 'cyber village' like other countries. He said he was looking forward to working with WDL and make the best out of the tie-up.