Bangladesh seeks long term Chinese investment in ICT sector

Xi Jinping’s visit has laid the foundation of a long term Chinese investment in Bangladesh’s ICT sector, said State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

"ICT has been identified as one of the most promising sectors in the official statement issued on Friday following the meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping," he said on Saturday reports BSS.

The state minister said the two heads of state after their official meeting laid the foundation stone of Tier-IV Uptime Institute Certified Data Centre, to be built in Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, which will be the seventh biggest data centre in the world.

"ICT Division has signed two separate memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with China, one with its ICT ministry and another with the National Development and Reform Commission of China," Palak said.

He was also hopeful that the three loan assistance agreements signed between the two countries will open up new opportunities for this sector.

Under the three agreements, Chinese government will provide loan for National Infra-Network for Bangladesh Government (Info Sarker-Phase 3), Establishing Digital Connectivity and Modernisation of Rural and Urban Lives in Bangladesh through ICT, projects.

Optical cable network will be set up in every union throughout the country by 2018 under Info Sarker project, bringing the remotest of areas under digital connectivity.

Optimum use of ICT will be ensured in sectors like education, health, agriculture, e-commerce and security while national help desk will be set up under Establishing Digital Connectivity project.

"Smart city solution will be brought to in use to develop the living standards of commoners from rural and urban areas under Modernisation of Rural and Urban Lives in Bangladesh through ICT project," the state minister added. - IH

Financial Express BD dated 20 Oct 2016