Japan urged to invest in BD telecoms

There is huge scope for Japan to invest in state-owned telecom companies, including Teletalk and Telephone Shilpa Sangstha (TSS) Ltd.

State minister for post, telecoms and ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak said this on Thursday.

Following a courtesy meeting with Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Iwama Kiminori, he told a joint press conference that there was an opportunity for Japan to invest in TSS and Teletalk.

He also sought more Japanese investment in the overall telecom and ICT sector of the country.

The Japanese envoy paid a courtesy call with Mr Palak at the latter's secretariat office.

He says Japan is involved in the formulation and implementation of the 'Smart Bangladesh Master Plan'.

With the help of Japan and JICA along with post, telecoms and ICT ministry, he said, the master plan could be finalised within the next two months.

During the meeting, they discussed issues of bilateral interests, exchanged views on various issues, especially postal, telecommunications, and information and communications technology sectors.

According to Mr Palak, Japan has significant investments in the infrastructure sector, including the third terminal, metro rail, Matarbari power plant, bridges, rail, roads and transportation. "These Japanese investments are playing a fruitful role in Bangladesh's transition to a middle-income country," he said.

Mr Palak said several hundred engineers were working in Japan under the ICT Engineers Programme.

"Hundreds of thousands of IT students are working in Dhaka, Japan and in many Japanese companies after graduating under the programme."

According to the minister, Japan is one of the important destinations for IT exporters from Bangladesh of 60 countries of the world.

Dhaka and Tokyo signed a memorandum during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Japan last year.

Japan has expressed its intent to work together in order to ensure cyber security, mutual cooperation and exchange of technology and knowledge.

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