BASIS SoftExpo 2019 begins on Tuesday

In a bid to showcase industry strength and the latest innovative software and IT services for global and domestic clients, a three-day BASIS Softexpo 2019 will be held in Dhaka on Monday.

Syed Almas Kabir, president of BASIS, made the announcement at a press conference in his office in the capital on Sunday.

The largest exposition on the country’s Information and Technology Sector will be held from March 19-21 at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka.

Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister, Mustafa Jabbar, is expected to inaugurate the expo, as chief guest, while State Minister for Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, will attend the event as special guest.

Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), the ICT sector platform, in association with the ICT Division, is jointly organizing the expo.   

“Government does not do business; it works to create a business friendly environment to generate employment. As of now, export earnings from the ICT sector have already reached $1 billion,” said Zunaid Ahmed Palak addressing the press conference.

If the BASIS becomes more active and capable of creating a more skilled workforce and employment, Bangladesh will be able to earn $5 billion from the sector by 2021, said Palak.

The government is working on the development of four key factors in the information and technology sector such as Hardware, Software, Services, and research and development (R&D), said Palak.

Hardware just started as the government has reduced import duties, while the country has done well in software and is placing greater emphasis on research and development, the junior minister said.

The aim of this showcase is to promote Bangladeshi products for global markets,  and to share knowledge with global ICT experts to enrich local entrepreneurs, networking with global potential clients and ICT service recipients, he added.    

Talking on the expo, the BASIS president expressed hope that it would increase client confidence in Bangladeshi products.    

“We hope that visitors from home and abroad will  gain confidence about the Bangladesh ICT sector and products. The expo is aimed at surely highlighting the capability of local software companies,” said BASIS president.   

He said, BASIS SOFTEXPO will help local IT companies to expand business. 250 exhibitors will participate this year. SoftExpo is the platform to showcase the capability of local software companies in the international arena, he added.

The slogan for this year’s event is “Technology for Prosperity.” The BASIS SoftExpo app will also be launched during the three-day event.

The app offers a range of services including free registration, the opportunity to submit resumes to 250 IT firms, ICT career camp facilities, and an extensive list of activities taking place at the event.

The event will have ten special zones for visitors and there will be 250 stalls at the event. There will also be 30 seminars on ICT and the event will be graced by over 100 IT experts from across the globe.

Other programs include business leadership meets, business to business matchmaking sessions, and corporate hour.