ICT sector stakeholders have urged Japan to create employment opportunities for Bangladeshi youths in Japan.
They made the call at an event titled 'BASIS Japan Day 2024' at a hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday. Japanese Ambassador IWAMA Kiminori was present as the Chief Guest.
Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) organized the programme, aiming to enhance Bangladesh-Japan trade relations, expand business opportunities, and showcase Bangladesh's capabilities in the ICT sector.
ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury and Policy Advisor of the ICT Division Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb were present as special guests, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.
Co-Convener of the event Dewan Samir delivered the welcome speech while the session was moderated by Chairman of the BASIS Japan Desk AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu.
In his speech, Shish Haider Chowdhury urged the Japanese Ambassador to facilitate employment opportunities for both skilled and semi-skilled Bangladeshi youth in Japan.
In this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ICT is the driving force of the economy, he said.
"In Japan's ICT sector, Bangladeshi youth are among the best professionals. Japan is a trusted friend, and with the support of the Japanese government and investors, we can strengthen our backbone further in the coming days," said the bureaucrat.
Ambassador IWAMA Kiminori emphasized the importance of both competition and collaboration in ICT development between the public and private sectors.
He said long-term comprehensive planning is essential. Improved business conditions will attract more investments from Japan to Bangladesh. Bangladesh has made significant progress in ICT and is a promising destination for Japanese investments. There is substantial potential for Bangladesh and Japan to work together in the ICT sector.
A panel discussion titled "Digital Transformation: Scopes for Japan-Bangladesh Collaboration" was also held where the keynote speech was delivered by Fayez Ahmed Tayeb, Policy Advisor of the ICT Division.
At the end of the programme, certificates were distributed to nine batches of graduates from the "B-MEET" Japanese Language Course Programme, conducted in collaboration with BASIS and Miyazaki University.
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