DCCI, BASIS move to create 2,000 entrepreneurs from IT freelancers

FE Report Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) arranged a workshop on Saturday for 200 information technology (IT) freelancers aiming to bring them under the trade body's ongoing project for creating 2,000 entrepreneurs. Secretary of Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Md. Nazrul Islam Khan was present as the chief guest. DCCI President Md. Sabur Khan delivered the address of welcome. He invited the IT freelancers to register their business and start their career as entrepreneurs. He also said that young IT freelancers will get all support from DCCI to register their business. He suggested the freelancers to submit their business ideas by 30th September, 2013 at www.business.org.bd. He also said that Bangladesh Bank will support the innovative 2000 business projects to get finance from the banks. Secretary of Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Md. Nazrul Islam Khan urged the entrepreneurs to have perseverance, concentration, intelligence and endeavour to be entrepreneurs. He also urged to embed IT in all activities of our business, because use of IT and technology will ensure skill and transparency as well. He also informed that the Ministry of ICT is working hard to establish an "Entrepreneurs Institute" soon. He urged the freelancers to grab the opportunity provided by DCCI and BASIS to be successful entrepreneurs. President of BASIS Shameem Ahsan said that his organisation is working relentlessly to make employment opportunities for about 0.15 million people by the next five years. He urged the IT freelancers to establish and register their business. He said that DCCI, BASIS and Bangladesh Bank will support the would-be entrepreneurs to start their business. DCCI Co-convenor and Senior Vice President Syed Almas Kabir, Representative of Sharif & Nabi Law Consultant Barrister Kazi Rehan Nabi, Advocate Md. Lutfur Rahman, Professor of Northsouth University Zunaid Khan and founder of FutureLeasers Kazi M Ahmed presented keynote papers. They urged the freelancers as well as all would-be entrepreneurs to submit their business ideas to DCCI and register businesses. They said that established businesses enjoy credibility, access to fund raising. Former director of DCCI Khandker Atique-e-Rabbani offered vote of thanks. DCCI Director Md. Shoaib Choudhury was also present in the workshop.