Target of 10 Lakh Digital-Sector Jobs in Five Years: ICT Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam at Tech Connect Conference

The government is working with a target of creating 10 lakh (one million) jobs in the digital sector over the next five years and turning Bangladesh into a regional hub for information technology and artificial intelligence (AI). To that end, importance is being given to developing modern telecommunications infrastructure, increasing digital skills, attracting investment and domestic innovation.

Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam made the remarks as chief guest on Tuesday, 27 October, at the 'Bangladesh Tech Connect 2026' conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital, jointly organised by the Posts and Telecommunications Division and Huawei.

The minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and in line with the 'Bangladesh first' policy, the government is committed to building a modern, technology-driven and knowledge-based Bangladesh. Ensuring reliable, safe, high-speed and affordable digital connectivity in every region of the country is essential, he said.

He added that the effective use of artificial intelligence and digital technology will play an important role in increasing productivity, creating new employment and accelerating economic growth. At the same time, cybersecurity, the privacy of personal data and the responsible use of technology must be ensured.

At the event, Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Dr Md Kamruzzaman said Bangladesh Tech Connect has now become a national-level platform. The participation of representatives from government, industry, educational institutions, development partners and the media has created an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between policymakers and industry. He described digital infrastructure as one of the main foundations for building a prosperous, knowledge-based economy.

Information and Communication Technology Division Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan said the government has set five strategic priorities to accelerate the country's digital transformation. They are a strong legal and policy framework, a reliable connectivity system, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and domestic production.

The ICT secretary also said work has begun on drafting a national artificial intelligence policy. It is hoped the work will be completed within the next three to four months.

Jason Wu, president of Huawei South Asia, said the company is committed to working with the government and industry partners to develop Bangladesh's digital infrastructure and expand the use of technology. Using its capability in connectivity, cloud and artificial intelligence, Huawei wants to contribute to increasing the skills of local industry, innovating new services and Bangladesh's long-term digital growth.

Three panel discussions were held at the conference: 'Future Technology and Connectivity', 'The Role of Technology in Increasing Skills in Industry', and 'Artificial Intelligence: Global Trends, Impact and Bangladesh's Preparation'. They discussed 5G, improving connectivity, increasing industry skills and Bangladesh's preparation for the use of artificial intelligence.

The commercial potential of 5G, fixed wireless access and enterprise connectivity services in the readymade garment industry, ports, agriculture and healthcare also came up in discussion. Speakers also raised how productivity can be increased, operating costs reduced and the quality of government services improved through cloud computing, automation technology, AI-based security systems and smart technology.

The conference's technology exhibition displayed various solutions for digital transformation, smart government, smart education, digital power systems, smartphones and artificial intelligence. High-level roundtable meetings were also held on digital power systems, artificial intelligence and enterprise technology, and on the digital economy and employment.

More than five hundred participants attended the conference, including government officials, policymakers, representatives of regulatory bodies, technology experts, industrial entrepreneurs, academics and representatives of development partner organisations.