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a year ago

BASIS expo sees lead generation of Tk 1.2 billion

Experts call for more policy support for IT industry

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The lead generation of local IT firms in the just-concluded BASIS SoftExpo was of Tk 1.2 billion, said Russell T Ahmed, CEO of the BASIS.

Lead generation is a marketing process of capturing potential consumers who show interest in any product or service.

Mr Ahmed also said some 92,000 people visited the exposition during the four-day expo where 204 companies showcased their goods and services.

Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) organised the show at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal, in order to show the latest technological innovations and ICT capabilities of Bangladesh to the world.

Speaking at the concluding programme on Sunday night, BASIS President Russell T Ahmed said that BASIS will be the biggest partner in the implementation of 'Smart Bangladesh'.

"We have analyzed that if we can build skilled manpower in R&D, industry promotion and demand generation in local and international markets, export earnings of $20 billion can be achieved by 2030."

However, the IT industry experts emphasised the need for more policy support to boost its exports and create a smart nation.

Proper policy support can help the IT sector realise its true potential, they observed.

Replying to the demands, Salman F Rahman, the prime minister's private industry and investment adviser, said the businesses have to come up with the suggestion of what type of support they want and the government will accommodate it.

Two types of policy support - back-to-back letters of credit and bonded warehouse facility - have played a key role in the success of the garment industry, he said.

The private sector proposed the policies and the government accepted them, he said. "So, for the development of the ICT sector, the ICT players must come up with suggestions on the policy support they need."

At a panel discussion, Asif Ibrahim, chairman of the Chittagong Stock Exchange, said the policy support has to come through institutional forms. "If support comes from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the future of the sector will brighten," he said.

Naser Ezaz Bijoy, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bank, Bangladesh, said since Bangladesh has a limited amount of land and resources, the digital economy is very critical for Bangladesh.

Moynul Haque Siddiqui, founder and director of Fiber@Home said banks and financial institutions should start adopting cloud banking. "If we really want to be a smart country, software utilisation and adoption are needed in every way of life."

Speaking as a special guest, Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak called upon the representatives of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Dhaka to increase its support.

Stating that BASIS has already made a shortlist of some potential startup companies in Japan and Bangladesh, the state minister said, "We believe that this bond of friendship will be strengthened only through our mutual cooperation and walking together."

Both nations will benefit from it, he added.

In the pitch session, Intelligent Machine, Chaldal Ltd., I Farmer Ltd., Arogya, 10 Minute School, Seva Platform, Edu Hive, Palki Motors, Hakaan Technologies, Bari Kai and AmarLab founders highlighted their business potential.

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