Conceiving that time is ripe for the populous Bangladesh to reinvent itself, the government has undertaken a special project involving Tk 798.91 crore to create investors in the Information Technology (IT) sector to expedite the ongoing process to make a digital Bangladesh.
As part of the move to encourage burgeoning start-up and support for technological innovation and train tech talent, the Department of Information and Communication Technology will set up 11 IT training and incubation centers in the country.
The initiative will help create a large number of entrepreneurs and job opportunities in the IT sector.
The project titled 'Establishment of Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Center' has been proposed to the Planning Commission at the estimated cost of Tk 798.91 crore, an official of the planning commission said.
The project proposal will be placed before the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting next Tuesday, he mentioned.
If approved, the implementation of project will start by the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority from this month and will be completed by June 2025, he added.
Planning Minister MA Mannan told The Bangladesh Post, “The proposed project will create infrastructural opportunities in the IT sector for a large number of young unemployed people in the country.”
“It will be possible to create employment opportunities by creating freelancers or startups through IT training,” he added.
At the same time, the quality of life of the youths can be improved and entrepreneurship can be created, he mentioned.
Mannan said, “The work of setting up Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centers in six districts of the country is progressing at a faster pace. Following this, 11 IT training and incubation centers are being set up this time.”
It will be set up in all the districts of the country in phases, he said.
If the project is implemented, domestic and foreign investors will get skilled human resources to invest in Bangladesh's IT sector, he said adding that, the project is eligible for approval.
According to sources, Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centers will be set up in 11 upazilas of the country under the project.
The upazilas are Kazipur in Sirajganj, Kalai in Joypurhat, Dinajpur Sadar, Shivalaya in Manikganj, Kishoreganj Sadar, Narayanganj Sadar, Matlab in Chandpur, Bandarban University Campus in Bandarban, Bhola Sadar, Kushtia Sadar and Meherpur Sadar.
Through the implementation of the project, minimum SSC or equivalent level students will be developed as skilled manpower in the IT sector.
It will also help create entrepreneurs and startups in the information and communication technology sector and create self-employment opportunities for young people in the IT sector.
The main activities under the project are acquisition of five acres of land, land development, construction of incubation buildings with eight six-storied foundations and construction of incubation buildings with three four-storied foundations.
In addition, recruitment of consultants, procurement of 10 vehicles, installation of internal water supply system, construction of internal roads, collection of various computer accessories, collection of electrical and mechanical machinery, procurement of furniture and ancillary activities including recruitment of manpower will be made.
According to the ICT department, steps have been taken to set up high-tech or IT parks in all districts of the country to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the stipulated time.
So far, eight high-tech parks have been set up.
Among them, work has been completed to set up Software Technology Park at Janata Tower at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina Software Park in Jessore and Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Center in Natore.
Besides, work is also underway to set up Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City in Kaliakair, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Parks in Sylhet and Rajshahi.
Hi-tech parks are being set up in different parts of the country to create employment for a large number of young unemployed and to encourage overseas investors to invest in Bangladesh.
