ICT Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam Sets Target of 10 Lakh Digital Jobs in Five Years

Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam has said the government is working towards creating 10 lakh jobs in the digital sector over the next five years and building Bangladesh into a regional hub for information technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

The minister made the remarks as chief guest on Tuesday morning at a conference titled 'Bangladesh TechConnect 2026' at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital. The Posts and Telecommunications Division and technology company Huawei jointly organized the event.

Government officials, policymakers, representatives of regulatory bodies, technology experts and industry entrepreneurs took part in the event. The minister said the government is committed to building a modern, technology-driven and knowledge-based Bangladesh under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

The ICT minister said it is essential to ensure reliable, safe, high-speed and affordable digital connectivity in every region of the country. To that end, he said, modern telecommunications infrastructure must be developed, digital skills increased, foreign investment attracted and domestic innovation encouraged.

The minister stressed increasing productivity through the effective use of digital technology and artificial intelligence to create new jobs and accelerate economic growth. At the same time, he called for ensuring cyber security, protecting personal data privacy and ensuring the responsible use of technology.

Highlighting the importance of coordinated initiatives by the public and private sectors, Fakir Mahbub Anam also said an inclusive and competitive digital economy can be built through the combined efforts of the government, domestic industry and international technology partners.

At the event, Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Md Kamruzzaman said digital infrastructure is no longer a luxury; rather, it is one of the main foundations for building a prosperous, investment-friendly and knowledge-based economy.

ICT Secretary Mamunur Rashid Bhuiya said work on formulating a national artificial intelligence policy has already begun. He said the draft of the policy will be finalized within the next three to four months.

Huawei South Asia region president Jason Wu also spoke at the conference. The keynote paper was presented by Posts and Telecommunications Division joint secretary Saida Afroze.