Countdown to SOFTEXPO 2004 begins

Organisers of SOFTEXPO 2004 at a press briefing on November 2 at the National Press Club

"We are hoping to choose and select some innovative and useful projects which would be exhibited at a separate pavilion at the upcoming SOFTEXPO 2004," said Forkan Bin Quasem, general secretary, Basis, while talking to StarTech about the 'IT Entrepreneurship Development Program'.

The program has been initiated to encourage young IT entrepreneurs, with creative and innovative projects. Through this program, a qualified panel of judges would review, analyse, and evaluate these projects and finally select 10 entrepreneurs. These projects would be awarded and thus exposed throughout the SOFTEXPO-2004.

Basis has already received over 40 applications and is expecting more within the next few days. "It has been observed that, even though Bangladesh has its own vine of talented software developers, yet such developers are never given the much-desired appreciation and thus, are rejuvenating their will to carry on with their relentless efforts," said Quasem.

He further pointed out that despite the innovation, creativity and technical know-how being used after each project, only the lack of business value hinders the entire appraisal of such projects. "We would also be providing important tips and suggestions to these amateur programmers," he added.

The association also hopes to receive some positive response from the immense number of local and foreign investors, to such projects and other software and applications, which will be exhibited at the exposition.

The 'SOFTEXPO2004' will be held from November 25 to 29, this year. The reputed software and IT enabled service providers exposition would be held at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference centre at Agargaon, Dhaka.

An impressive line-up of 120 local and foreign ICT companies are expected to participate at the exposition. A series of seminars have also been planned, at the occasion. Sponsored by South Asian Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF), more than 10 seminars on important issues such as E-governance, E-commerce, Road map for ICT sector in Bangladesh, Animation and BPO export are in the schedule.

Three international co-sponsors Intel, Microsoft and Sun Microsystems will sponsor the event along with AKTEL. Nescafe will be the official drink for the event.

The event website, www.softexpo.com.bd, has already been set up by Basis members, for individuals seeking further information about the event.