The government has started the process of setting up hi-tech parks in some divisional cities to promote the country's information and communication technology (ICT) sector.
At the first stage, hi-tech parks will be set up in Mohakhali, Kaliakoir in Gazipur, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Jessore, according to the Bangladesh High Tech Park Authority (BHTPA).
Under the supervision of the ICT division, the BHTPA is implementing the project in the selected areas. Already, the authority has sought the Request for Qualification (RFQ) to establish such parks in the selected areas.
The whole project will be developed under the public- private partnership (PPP), but the government with cooperation of the World Bank will develop some basic infrastructures for most of the projects, said a concerned official.
"We are under huge pressure from the government to accelerate the activities of the projects," said BHPA Managing Director Hosne Ara Begum.
She informed the FE that the country has vast prospects to develop the ICT sector. The hi-tech parks will give impetus to spread of ICT-based activities across the country.
The ministry took massive plans to boost the ICT sector by setting up IT villages at district level also.
She said the World Bank is providing Tk2.36 billion for infrastructure of the Kaliakoir project. Besides, the Bank has shown positive interest for funding the Sylhet and Jessore projects also.
The BHPA Managing Director expects to start work on the Kaliakoir project by the middle of this year after finishing primary work by March. Simultaneously, the BHPA will work on the Sylhet and Jessore projects. However, it could not complete acquiring of lands for the Rajshahi project, the official mentioned.
The initiative of establishing hi-tech parks will encourage global ICT companies to invest in the country providing huge employment opportunities, industry insiders think.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Jamal Uddin
Quelle/Source: The Financial Express Bangladesh, 15.02.2014
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