The government is working to make the country one of the best electronic device manufacturers in the world and is confident to introduce the country as an electronic goods exporter side by side readymade garment. Soon, it will be a digital manufacturing hub.
Salman F Rahman, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Private Industry and Investment, said this while speaking as the chief guest at the launching ceremony of Xiaomi mobile set with the theme ‘Made in Bangladesh’ held at Banani in the capital on Thursday.
He said, “Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told us to work for the development of electronic products manufacturing and make the country a product exporter. We are progressing towards this vision.”
Citing the government’s investment-friendly step helpful to bring more foreign direct investment (FDI), the adviser said, “Foreign companies are now coming to Bangladesh and started manufacturing branded product. This has been possible due to the government’s positive business plan.”
He urges Xiaomi to manufacture its all other brands in Bangladesh and invest more in the coming days.
“As part of the Digital Bangladesh initiative, Xiaomi’s first manufacturing unit in Bangladesh will create more opportunities for the country's youths and establish a world-class electronics manufacturing ecosystem,” he expressed the hope.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar joined the programme virtually from his office. He said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave instructions at the task force meeting on digital devices in 2015 to transform the country from an importer to an exporter. As a result of her firm commitment and successful implementation of investment support program, the journey of digital device production has started in the country.”
“The mobile sets produced by Xiaomi’s Bangladesh factory will be marketed in the country but also be exported abroad. The mobile sets produced by 14 mobile factories in the country are now meeting more than 65 percent of the total demand of the country. Besides, 99 percent of the workers are employed in these factories from this country,” added Mustafa Jabbar.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present on the occasion as the special guest. He said, “This is a great step by Xiaomi. This will help us attain our ‘Digital Bangladesh’ vision and we will get one step closer of our ‘Made in Bangladesh’ dream. I strongly believe people of Bangladesh will now be getting world-class and innovative devices of Xiaomi at a competitive price.”
Xiaomi Bangladesh Country Manager Ziauddin Chowdhury said, “Manufacturing smartphones locally is a significant step towards incorporating Xiaomi into the fabric of Bangladesh in the years to come. Thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary plan to transform Bangladesh into an attractive destination for manufacturing and we have a great opportunity to make our products in the country.
Local manufacturing shows Xiaomi’s commitment to being in Bangladesh for the long haul, and we are able to contribute to generating more jobs in Bangladesh. We are truly excited to be playing a role in imoroving the quality of life of the people of Bangladesh,” Mr Chowdhury added.
Notable, 5G mobile sets produced in Bangladeshi factories are being exported to America. The county is also exporting IoT devices to Saudi Arabia. Software is being exported from Bangladesh to 60 countries of the world. Internet bandwidth is also being exported to different countries including Saudi Arabia and India.
Xiaomi plant in the country will be producing approximately 3 million mobile phones per year. Around, 1,000 manpower will be employed in the plant in initial phase. The plant is located in Gazipur District, near the Bypass Road, vogra. The factory is housed in a 4-storied building with a total area of around 55,000 sqft.
