Telenor Asia, a prominent telco-tech company in Asia and a major investor in Grameenphone, brought together an array of influential figures, including senior government officials, industry leaders, and media representatives, for a significant industry event titled “Building Better Digital Lives for a Smart Bangladesh.”
The event, held at the Sheraton Dhaka International, featured discussions on leveraging mobile connectivity to propel Bangladesh towards the Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041.
The event kicked off with an opening keynote address from the Chief Guest, Md. Shamsul Arefin, Honourable Secretary of the ICTD Division. Secretary Arefin shared the government’s ambitious vision of transforming Bangladesh into an advanced, knowledge-based society and emphasized the pivotal role of mobile connectivity in achieving this vision.
“Digital infrastructure is fundamental to connecting millions in Bangladesh. Therefore, our collective priority should be to harness the tremendous power and potential of broadband to realize the vision of Smart Bangladesh 2041. Furthermore, we must work hard to ensure more people have the access and skills they need to harness ICT to transform their lives,” he stated.
Manisha Dogra, Senior Vice President and Head of External Relations at Telenor Asia, then introduced a panel discussion, featuring insights from Telenor Asia’s Digital Lives Decoded report, which surveyed over 8000 people across eight Asian countries, highlighting the transformative impact of mobile connectivity on societies and economies.
The panel discussion delved into key policies and enabling factors needed to realize the Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041, with representatives from the ICTD Division, Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and industry leaders. Topics included the promotion of public-private partnerships, the development of a skilled cybersecurity workforce, and the implementation of robust cybersecurity policies to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive information.
In his closing remarks, Special Guest Brigadier General Md. Ehsanul Kabir, Director General of the Engineering & Operations Division of the BTRC, stressed the need for joint efforts to reduce the usage gap in mobile connectivity. He underscored that mobile connectivity is a vital component of a Smart Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of forward-looking and sustainable telecom infrastructure.
Dr. Asif Naimur Rashid, Chief Business Officer of Grameenphone, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s digital transformation journey. He emphasized Grameenphone’s role as a technology catalyst and its dedication to ensuring that no one is left behind in the quest for a digitally connected society.
Manisha Dogra, Head of External Relations at Telenor Asia, summed up the discussions by highlighting the significance of embracing the future of mobile connectivity. She cited the Digital Lives Decoded study, which demonstrated how mobile connectivity improves people’s quality of life, opens up economic opportunities, and enhances access to essential services. She called for progressive policies to encourage innovation and technology adoption, ultimately leading to a competitive and thriving digital economy in Bangladesh.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to co-create and collaborate to tap into future possibilities and realize the full potential of a Smart Bangladesh that benefits all its citizens.
