Hi-tech park project to continue: Mostafa Faruque

DHAKA, Nov 17, 2012 (BSS) - Information and Communication Technology Minister Mostafa Faruque Mohammad today said his government is committed to continue works of all projects for setting up high tech parks in the country to attract foreign companies to begin operations in Bangladesh.

Inaugurating the (eatlapps.com) the first ever local mobile apps store here, he brushed aside all negative speculations about the project work for developing the country's first ever hi-tech park at Kaliakoir in Gazipur, saying his government has also a plan to establish an IT park in the capital Dhaka.

The minister said Hi-Tech Park will provide both domestic and foreign investors with land for industrial or commercial use as well as standard factory buildings for electronic, mechanical and other allied factories. "Bangladesh has taken the move for setting up hi-tech park to broaden its export basket with ICT and high-value products," he observed.

Prime minister's health, family and social welfare advisor Professor Dr Syed Modasser Ali and Vice Chancellor of Asia Pacific University Professor Dr Jamilur Reza Chowdhury spoke on the occasion as special guests.

Among others, Director General of Prime Minister's Office Neelufar Ahmed and Project Director of A2i of Prime Minister's Office Kabir Bin Anwar also spoke at the function chaired by EATL Managing Director MA Mubin Khan.

With the inauguration of EATL, the minister said, a new door opened for young entrepreneurs in the country for building a developed digital Bangladesh based on modern information and communication technology.

He said the local mobile apps store will help to create new market abroad for Bangladeshi products creating a new way for earning huge foreign currency.

Referring to his government's election pledge, Mostafa Faruque said "we have already setup 'union information centers' across the country to reach the services of modern information technology to the doorsteps of the commoners for making Bangladesh a middle income country by 2021.

Using such modern information technology, he said, rural people once neglected, are now getting highest services in different sectors including health, agriculture and education.

EATL Executive Director Dr Nizam Uddin Ahmed presented the key features and statistics about Mobile users in Bangladesh. In his presentation, he said, 'EATL apps' store, provided by Ethics Advance Technology Limited (EATL), hosts apps based on the different mobile device configuration and safe payment procedures for users at home and abroad.