Hi-tech park in Keraniganj to create jobs for 15,000

A hi-tech park in Keraniganj is expected to generate employment for around 15,000 people and create an enabling environment for locals to contribute to the country's IT sector.

The hi-tech park will be established on over 3.2 acres of land at a cost of around Tk 2.0 billion.

State Minister for the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MoPEMR) Nasrul Hamid and State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak laid the foundation stone of the park at a ceremony held in Jhilmil area of Keraniganj on Tuesday.

Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Vikram Kumar Doraiswami and Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) Bikarna Kumar Ghosh were also present at the ceremony, among others, said a statement.

Speaking on the occasion, Nasrul Hamid said the development of IT park is set to create a new horizon for the people of Keraniganj to contribute to the country's information, communication and technology (ICT) sector.

"Earlier, many people criticised the government's vision to develop a digital Bangladesh, which has become a reality now," he said.

The hi-tech park in Keraniganj is a part of 12 IT parks development in Bangladesh's 12 regions with the credit facility from the Indian government.

In his speech, Vikram Kumar Doraiswami said bilateral economic relations between the two countries have increased in recent times, particularly Indian investment in Bangladesh's ICT sector.

"India is providing Bangladesh with a credit facility to establish 12 hi-tech parks in 12 districts," he said and expressed hope that the two neighbouring nations will extend their areas of cooperation.

The statement also said 190 companies have got plots and space allocation in hi-tech parks across the country, while 151 startups got work spaces there free of cost.

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