Photo: Collected
The government wants to create job opportunities for 10 lakh people in the digital sector over the next five years, and work is also under way to develop Bangladesh into a regional hub for information technology and artificial intelligence (AI), Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam has said.
The minister was speaking as chief guest at the ‘Bangladesh TechConnect 2026’ conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre today (Tuesday). The Posts and Telecommunications Division and Huawei jointly organised the conference.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and guided by the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy, the government is moving ahead with a commitment to build a modern, technology-driven and knowledge-based Bangladesh, the minister said. For that, reliable, secure, high-speed and affordable digital connectivity must reach every part of the country. Attention is needed on all fronts — modern telecom infrastructure, digital skills, attracting investment and home-grown innovation.
The minister spoke of joint efforts by the public and private sectors. In his view, an inclusive and competitive digital economy can be built if the government, local industries and international technology partners work together.
Dr Md Kamruzzaman, secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, said ‘Bangladesh TechConnect’ had now become a national platform. With representatives of the government, industry, academia, development partners and the media taking part, the conference has opened up scope for closer cooperation between policymakers and industry, he said.
In his words, digital infrastructure is no longer a luxury. It is one of the main foundations for building a prosperous, investment-led and knowledge-based economy.
Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan, secretary of the ICT Division, said that to bring the country’s marginalised people into the digital system, the government is focusing on affordable smartphones alongside network development. As part of this, an initiative has been taken to manufacture smartphones in the country priced between Tk 4,000 and Tk 5,000.
To speed up digital transformation, he said, the government has set five strategic priorities — a strong legal and policy framework, reliable connectivity, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence and cyber security, and local manufacturing.
Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan added that work on drafting a national artificial intelligence policy has already begun. The government hopes to finish it within three to four months.
Jason Wu, president of Huawei South Asia, said Huawei is committed to working with the government and industry partners to develop Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure and expand the use of technology. The company wants to use its capabilities in connectivity, cloud and artificial intelligence to raise the skills of local industry, develop new services and contribute to Bangladesh’s long-term digital growth.
Saida Afroz, joint secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, presented the keynote paper. Three panel discussions followed — ‘Future Technology and Connectivity’, ‘The Role of Technology in Raising Industrial Efficiency’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence: Global Trends, Impact and Bangladesh’s Preparedness’.
The panels discussed the development of 5G and connectivity, using technology to boost industrial efficiency, and Bangladesh’s readiness to use artificial intelligence. The commercial potential of 5G, fixed wireless access and enterprise connectivity in sectors such as readymade garments, ports, agriculture and healthcare also came up.
Speakers also highlighted how productivity can be raised, operating costs cut and the quality of public services improved through cloud computing, automation, AI-based security systems and smart technology. They stressed the importance of reliable cloud infrastructure, data readiness, skilled manpower and supportive policies for putting artificial intelligence to work in banking, manufacturing, freight transport, supply chains and public services.
The conference’s technology exhibition showcased a range of solutions in digital transformation, smart government, smart education, digital power, smartphone technology and artificial intelligence. High-level roundtables were also held on digital power, artificial intelligence and enterprise, and on the digital economy and employment.
Government officials, policymakers, representatives of regulatory bodies, top executives of various organisations, technology experts, entrepreneurs, academics and representatives of development partners attended the conference.
Background
Huawei and the ICT Division also organised ‘Bangladesh TechConnect 2025’ in Dhaka in 2025, attended by more than 300 participants including policymakers, regulators and mobile operators, MEA Tech Watch reported on 27 November 2025.
In July 2024, the ICT Division published a draft national artificial intelligence policy that proposed setting up an independent ‘National Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence’, The Daily Star reported on 9 July 2024.
According to a Daily Star report of 26 January this year, another draft titled ‘National AI Policy Bangladesh 2026-2030’ had been prepared; the 2024 draft was never finalised.
By the numbers
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) ‘ICT Use and Access Survey’, about 90 percent of people in the country use mobile phones and 73 percent use smartphones, while individual internet users make up 58.4 percent of the total population, Independent Television Online reported on 14 April.
At a glance
In April 2024, the ICT Division also held consultations with stakeholders on the draft ‘Artificial Intelligence Act, 2024’, bdnews24.com reported on 4 April 2024.
Sources
Original report: Ajker Patrika
Background sources: MEA Tech Watch, 27 November 2025; The Daily Star, 9 July 2024; The Daily Star, 26 January 2026; Independent Television Online, 14 April 2026; bdnews24.com, 4 April 2024
