‘Basis needs to widen reach beyond US, Europe’

FE Desk
Software markers' group Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services has secured the membership of Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA), which can help expand its reach across the continent.
The association announced this at a press conference held in the city Tuesday, where state minister of ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present as the chief guest.
"Basis has been accorded the membership at the 48th executive meeting of APICTA held in Singapore during March 23-24," its president Shameem Ahsan said.
Speaking at the event, Mr Palak said being a member of such an organisation like APICTA is a glorious achievement for the country. "Now it will be possible for us to change the total scenario of ICT sector of Bangladesh with this. Business opportunity will be increased through the bilateral relations with the member organisations of APICTA, technology transfer and other activities," he added.
Basis President Shameem Ahsan said only the European and American market is not enough for the development of Bangladeshi ICT sector and country branding, the Asian countries also need to be focussed, the association said in a statement.
As APICTA is playing an important role in the development of the ICT sector of the region, BASIS, being a member of APICTA will be able to attend bilateral meetings with the other member countries.
APICTA is a renowned organisation in the ICT sector of Asia. It works with the partner countries for the development of the sector and the economies, a BASIS statement said.
It plays an important role to showcase the technologies of the partner countries throughout the global market, development of software and technology sector.
Recently, BASIS applied for the membership of APICTA.
BASIS was invited to join the 48th executive committee meeting of APICTA. In response to the invitation of APICTA, the BASIS president gave a presentation at the executive council showing the development and potential of the ICT sector of Bangladesh.
The other member countries of APICTA were impressed with the activities of BASIS.  President Shameem Ahsan along with Abdullah H Kafi, the former chairman of Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation (ASOCIO) and Uttam Kumar Paul, secretary general of Basis attended the consensual meetings with the representatives of the member countries.
The member countries voted for Bangladesh being impressed by the presentation of BASIS and it has achieved the membership APICTA, the statement said.
APICTA award is given every year to the best ICT innovations, the statement added.
Uttam Kumar Paul, secretary general of Basis, Mostafizur Rahman Sohel, joint secretary general, Mahboob Zaman and SM Kamal, former presidents, Atique-E-Rabbani, Shoeb Ahmed Masud, Forkan Bin Quasem, former secretary generals, and Sami Ahmed, executive director, were also present at the programme among others.