BD to set up 12 hi-tech parks with Indian support: Palak

State Minister for Information and Communications Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak has said the government will set up 12 hi-tech parks in the country within next four years with the help of India, reports BSS.

After completion of the parks, around 30,000 youths will be trained as skilled IT manpower.

He said this while making a keynote presentation at the inauguration of a day-long workshop titled 'India-Bangladesh Cooperation and Prospects' at Sheikh Hasina Software Technology Park in Jashore auditorium on Wednesday.

The state minister also said the people have given the responsibility to Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina to run this country. She has strengthened the friendship between the two countries.

The present government has been able to negotiate the water issues of the Ganges, Teesta, Hill Peace Agreement and a revolutionary change in the development of the power sector. Bangladesh's trade with India has exceeded 10 million dollar.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das was present as the guest of honor at the workshop. She said India is cooperating in the development of Bangladesh's IT sector as a close friend. The Indian government will be funding the setting up of 12 hi-tech parks in 12 districts of Bangladesh, she said.

Jashore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Shafiul Arif chaired the inaugural ceremony while Vice-Chancellor of Jashore Science and Technology University Anwar Hossain, Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Hosne Ara Begum, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Later, Tina Jabin, an information and technology expert from US Silicon Valley, presented the keynote paper at a panel discussion on the possibility and challenge of start-up culture in Bangladesh. She talked about mentoring start-ups to create new entrepreneurs and how to get funds in the international arena.