Post, telecommunication and information adviser Nahid Islam has urged youth to gather more expertise on IT, reports UNB.
He made the appeal on Monday during a meeting with Japanese ambassador Iwama Kiminori at the ICT Tower in Agargaon.
The adviser highlighted that Bangladesh’s youth are highly talented and interested in IT. With proper training, they can develop their skills, and he sought Japan's cooperation in this regard.
During the meeting, the ambassador mentioned Japan’s assistance in the ICT sector, particularly in training Bangladesh's young IT talents to enhance their expertise and create new employment opportunities. He also mentioned Japan's readiness to cooperate in this area.
He emphasized that the friendship between Bangladesh and Japan has been longstanding and remains unchanged under the current interim government.
Nahid Islam expressed his gratitude for Japan's continued support and cooperation.
The Ambassador raised concerns from the Japanese business community regarding the disruption caused by the internet shutdown in July.
In response, Nahid Islam remarked that shutting down the internet is equivalent to a violation of human rights. The previous government tried to suppress the student uprising by cutting off the internet and used the opportunity to carry out indiscriminate massacres. He stressed the importance of establishing a system that would prevent such shutdowns in the future and mentioned that Bangladesh is introducing satellite internet services through Starlink to ensure uninterrupted internet access.
When the Ambassador mentioned promoting Japanese culture in Bangladesh, especially films, cartoons, and dramas, the Advisor emphasized the importance of cultural exchange. He requested the establishment of a Japanese cultural center in Bangladesh to facilitate such exchanges. The Ambassador expressed hope for the temporary establishment of a virtual cultural center for now.
The Ambassador also stated that Japan is aware of the interim government's efforts to ensure media freedom and expressed Japan's willingness to assist in this regard.
Nahid Islam added that members of the ousted 'fascist government' have been spreading misinformation about the July uprising in foreign media and social networks. He requested Japan's cooperation in promoting the true events of the uprising.
The meeting ended with discussions on mutual interests.
The Secretary of the ICT Division, Shish Haider Chowdhury, and ICT Policy Advisor, Faiz Ahmed Tayab, were present during the meeting.
Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
