Digital Bangladesh Mela begins today

Digital Bangladesh Mela-2023 will begin on Thursday at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in Agargaon area of the city.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair virtually at 10 am on January 26.

The three-day 'Digital Bangladesh Mela' will remain open for everyone from 10am to 8pm everyday at BICC here and the detail information regarding the fair will be available on www.digitalbangladeshmela.org.bd.

Due to the corona pandemic, the fair could not take place in 2021 and 2022 consecutive years. However, this year, anyone can make registration via the aforesaid website free of cost.

In the fair, about 77 pavilions will showcase the products of various digital companies.

A total of eight seminars will be held there highlighting the current and future technology-based destination.

During the time, individuals, government and private institutions and organisations nominated by the jury board in 12 categories including telecommunication and internet services, digital transformation of education, contribution to medical field, contribution to increase digital security, contribution to development of imaging technology and special contribution to journalism in development of telecommunication technology will be awarded postal and telecommunication medals (Dak O Tele-Jogajog Padak) for the first time.

Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel will be the chief guest in a discussion on "Skill Development and Digital Transformation of Education: Bangladesh context" at Media Bazar at 3 pm on January 26.

Besides, another discussion titled "Made in Bangladesh" will be held at Windy Town hall on the same day at 3 pm where Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi will be present as the chief guest.

A discussion on "Fifth Industrial Revolution and 5G Infrastructure: Preparation of Bangladesh" will be held at Media Bazar at 11 am on January 27 where Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar will be attended as the chief guest.

A discussion on "Telecommunication Sector during Disaster: Things to do of pre and post-strategies" will be held in Windy Town 11 am on the same day. State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman will address it as the chief guest.

A discussion on "Data Science Robotics and Artificial Intelligence" will be arranged in the Windy Town at 3pm on January 27 with the presence of Minister for Science and Technology Architect Yeafesh Osman as the chief guest.

Another discussion will be held on the same day at 3pm on "Digital Transformation: The Driving Force of the Future Bangladesh Economy" where State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam will attend as the chief guest.

On the last day of the fair, a discussion on "Safe Digital Society: Role of the State" will be held at Media Bazar on at 11 am where Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq will be present as the chief guest.

A discussion on "Bangladesh on the highway of technology to build a smart city" will be held in Windy Town at 11am on the same day where Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operative (LGRD) Minister Md Tazul Islam will deliver his speech as the chief guest.

The three-day fair is the largest exposition aimed at showcasing IT and ITES products and services in Bangladesh, concerned sources said.

It will focus on creating more collaborative relationships at the national and international levels, inviting trade delegations to experience the immense potential of the Bangladeshi ICT industry, the sources added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has wished the overall success of all the programmes undertaken on the occasion of 'Digital Bangladesh Mela-2023'.

The premier, in a message, hoped that the people of the country will be more informed about various aspects of telecommunication and information technology through 'Digital Bangladesh Mela' alongside using digital services by keeping pace with the rest of the world.

Various measures, taken by the present government in the field of telecommunication and information technology, have boosted the information technology across the country, she said, adding: "As a result, Vision-2021 has been successfully implemented."

After building 'Digital Bangladesh' in the light of Vision 2021, the next goal of the government is to build 'Smart Bangladesh'.

"Smart Bangladesh will have smart government, smart population and smart industries," she said, adding that the use of digital devices will be ensured in all fields including business, health, education, agriculture with the help of robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, genetic-engineering and biotechnology.

The main goal of Vision 2041 is to build a developed country and a knowledge-based society after transitioning from a less developed country to a developing country, Sheikh Hasina continued.