State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak said that Bangladesh and Sweden will work together to build a cashless society and a smart Bangladesh by using 5G technology.He said they will also work for the purposes of transferring technology, increasing investment, increasing export income, and creating employment.The State Minister said these things to the media after the courtesy meeting of Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde with Palak at the Secretariat on Wednesday.During the meeting, they exchanged views on various issues related to bilateral interests, especially the development of the telecommunication and information technology sectors.Referring to the excellent relations existing between Bangladesh and Sweden, the state minister said that, besides other sectors, Sweden’s technology company Ericsson has been making an important contribution to the country’s telecommunication sector for the last 30 years. He expressed hope that this trend will continue in the future.
The Minister of State also said that under the advice of the Prime Minister’s Information and Communication Technology Advisor, Sajib Wazed Joy, and the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, there has been a revolutionary change in the country’s telecommunications and information technology sectors in the last 15 years. Digital Bangladesh
Bangladesh has changed with the continuation of program implementation. Besides, Bangladesh is a very profitable country for investment.He called on Sweden to invest more in the telecommunications and information technology sectors by taking advantage of the government’s investment-friendly policy.Palak said that Bangladesh and Sweden will work together to implement the Smart Bangladesh vision. This friendship will continue for the benefit of both countries.He said that along the path of partnership of the past years, in the next 17 years, in addition to the development of Bangladesh’s telecom infrastructure, the export of ICT products and services, and the increase of investment, Sweden will cooperate in setting up research and development centers in 20 universities in the country.The Bangladesh-Sweden-Swedental will be launched soon for mutual cooperation in the startup sector and the exchange of knowledge on 5G technology.He expressed hope that companies like Ericsson, Spotify, Bluetooth, and Volvo will participate in the startup summit to be held in July.
At that time, Sweden’s ambassador, Alexandra Berg von Linde, said that several organizations in Sweden are ahead in terms of innovation and sustainability in IT and telecom. In continuation of regular cooperation, Ericsson will also be involved in the implementation of the Smart Bangladesh concept.He said, I think today’s meeting was very constructive and fruitful for further mutual cooperation.