The government aims to create one million jobs in the digital sector over the next five years and transform Bangladesh into a regional hub for information technology and artificial intelligence, ICT Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam said today.
He was speaking as chief guest at "Bangladesh TechConnect 2026", jointly organised by the Posts and Telecommunications Division and Huawei at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on 27 October, 2026, according to a press release.
The minister said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and guided by the "Bangladesh First" principle, was committed to building a modern, technology-driven and knowledge-based Bangladesh.
He emphasised the urgent need to ensure reliable, secure, high-speed and affordable digital connectivity across every region of the country.
Achieving this would require modern telecommunications infrastructure, stronger digital skills, greater investment and encouragement for domestic innovation, he said.
The minister said effective use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies would play a crucial role in increasing productivity, creating employment opportunities and accelerating economic growth. At the same time, he stressed the need to ensure cybersecurity, personal data privacy and responsible use of technology.
Highlighting the importance of coordination between the public and private sectors, he said collective efforts by the government, domestic industries and international technology partners could help build an inclusive and competitive digital economy.
He thanked the Posts and Telecommunications Division and Huawei for organising the conference and wished it every success.
Dr Md Kamruzzaman, NDC, secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, said Bangladesh TechConnect had evolved into a national-level platform.
He said the participation of representatives from the government, industry, educational institutions, development partners and the media had created opportunities to strengthen collaboration between policymakers and industry.
Digital infrastructure was no longer a luxury but a key foundation for building a prosperous, investment-driven and knowledge-based economy, he added.
Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan, secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Division, said the government had identified five strategic priorities to accelerate the country's digital transformation.
These are a robust legal and policy framework; reliable connectivity; digital public infrastructure; artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; and domestic production.
He said work on formulating a National Artificial Intelligence Policy had begun and was expected to be completed within the next three to four months.
Jason Wu, president of Huawei South Asia, said Huawei was committed to working with the government and industry partners to advance Bangladesh's digital infrastructure and expand the use of technology.
He said the company intended to use its capabilities in connectivity, cloud and artificial intelligence to strengthen the skills of local industries, develop innovative services and contribute to Bangladesh's long-term digital growth.
Sayeda Afroz, joint secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, presented the keynote paper.
The conference featured three panel discussions titled "Future Technologies and Connectivity", "The Role of Technology in Enhancing Industrial Efficiency" and "Artificial Intelligence: Global Trends, Impact and Bangladesh's Preparedness".
The discussions examined the development of 5G and connectivity systems, the role of technology in improving industrial efficiency and Bangladesh's readiness to adopt artificial intelligence.
Participants also explored the commercial potential of 5G, fixed wireless access and enterprise connectivity across sectors including ready-made garments, ports, agriculture and healthcare.
Speakers highlighted how cloud computing, automation, AI-based security systems and smart technologies could increase productivity, reduce operational costs and improve the quality of public services.
They stressed the importance of reliable cloud infrastructure, data readiness, skilled human resources and supportive policies to ensure the effective use of artificial intelligence in banking, manufacturing, logistics, supply chains and public services.
A technology exhibition at the conference showcased solutions related to digital transformation, smart government, smart education, digital power, smartphone technology and artificial intelligence.
High-level roundtable meetings were also held on digital power; artificial intelligence and enterprise; and the digital economy and employment.
More than 500 participants attended the conference, including government officials, policymakers, representatives of regulatory bodies, senior executives from various organisations, technology experts, industrialists, academics and representatives of development partner organisations.