FBCCI launches Tech C to create ‘Impact Tech-Preneur'

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade body of the country, launched a technology center called 'FBCCI Tech C' that will help to create 'Impact Tech-Preneur™' who can build digital ecosystem, solve social problems and experience growth.

It is an initiative under the umbrella of FBCCI Impact 4.0 (2020) launched by the current FBCCI board and tribute to the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50th anniversary of independence of Bangladesh, according to a press release.

An inaugural ceremony for the technology center was organised at FBCCI Motijheel Icon Tower today.

Dr Dipu Moni, MP and Minister of Education of Bangladesh graced the function as chief guest.  

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, was also present as special guest. Sheikh Fazle Fahim, President of FBCCI honored the function by starting off with his welcome address.

Sonia Bashir Kabir, Advisor to FBCCI gave a presentation about Tech C at the function which was moderated by Brigadier General S M Ferdous, ndc, psc (Retd), Deputy Chief Executive Officer of FBCCI.

Ms Elisabeth Rees-Johnstone, Executive Director, Continuing & Professional Learning Co-Creator, InnovED Research, International and Innovation Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto; M Michael Cassidy, Associate Director, Internationalization & Innovation, Continuing & Professional Learning University of Toronto; Amra Naidoo, Co-founder of Accelerating Asia and Sharon Bort; Senior Officer Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) also spoke at the event. Dr Syed Ferhat Anwar, Professor of IBA, University of Dhaka and Advisor to FBCCI gave the concluding remarks. Senior Vice President of FBCCI Md Muntakim Ashraf, Vice President Md Rezaul Karim Reznu, Mir Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Dilip Kumar Agarwala, Nizamuddin Rajesh, directors Sujib Ranjan Dash, MA Razzak Khan, Md Munir Hossain were also present at the event.

Sheikh Fazle Fahim, Honorable President of FBCCI said, 'Our nation's future economic success, growth, and competitiveness depend on a thriving and innovative technology sector. Data-driven innovation is the foundation of businesses across the country.'

"During Covid-19 Bangladesh saw impressive technology adoption and sustained Covid-19 shock. It was possible because, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Digital Bangladesh was executed, spearheaded by Honorable ICT Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy," he added.

Sheik Fazle Fahim said, FBCCI Tech C is one vertical of FBCCI Impact 4.0 (2020) adapted by the current FBCCI board, FBCCI (Tech C) is to enable technology to strengthening business (MSMEs), startups and large by leveraging innovations across economic sectors in Bangladesh to be part of Global Value Chain, ecosystem with indigenous synergies.

"The initiative of FBCCI is aligned with the Digital Bangladesh agenda. The Education Ministry has been also preparing to adapt to the 4IR. Therefore it is heartening to see such initiatives that leverage today's concepts of technology, collaboration, globalisation to enable us to thrive," Dipu Moni said.

"I congratulate FBCCCI for their forward-looking and progressive thinking, and for successfully launching FBCCI Tech C.  Technology will play an essential role in achieving multiple visons entailing vision 2021 2041 and Bangabandhu's Sonar Bangla. Leveraging tech innovations to have a competitive edge will help to improve our national economic growth, for that, we need a thriving Innovative and Technology sector," said Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

In her presentation Sonia Bashir Kabir, Advisor to FBCCI informed, "FBCCI TECH C entails Startup preparedness skills, Ag Tech (Agriculture Tech), Digital Financial Service (FinTech), Med Tech (Health Tech), Ed Tech (Education Tech), E commerce, Rural Broadband Smart Cities and so on. It will also work for developing Artificial Intelligence, ensuring Cyber Security, creating Internet of Things (IOT), adaptation of Blockchain for the private & public sector, enhancing Data Analytics & Machine Learning and Applied Skills – Tech Vocational Training. Tech C will help to graduate startups from democratizing technology to democratising innovation."

Elisabeth Rees-Johnstone, Executive Director, Continuing & Professional Learning Co-Creator, InnovED Research, International and Innovation Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto said, Tech C would help to create 'Impact Tech Preneur'™ can build digital ecosystem, solve social problems and experience growth.

Amra Naidoo, Co-founder of Accelerating Asia said, "We're excited to extend the work we do in the ecosystem to more startups with our the FBCCI Accelerator powered by Accelerating Asia." 

He said, "By partnering with organizations like FBCCI, we continue to be guided by our core belief that entrepreneurs are one of humanity's greatest catalysts for positive change.

Sharon Bort, Senior Officer of Sustainability, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) said, Global challenges for 2021 are ensuring equitable connectivity to access digital commerce and public services for everyone, protecting all people from health security threats and the impacts of disease outbreaks, reimaging classrooms for the next generation of learners, preserving and strengthening ecosystem services including carbon mitigation and harnessing tech to promote racial justice and the formation of antiracist society.

Syed Ferhat Anwar, Professor of IBA, University of Dhaka and Advisor to FBCCI said, "our government is very much in track to develop digital economy."

To train startups FBCCI Tech C has signed agreements with international organisations like Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) of USA & Accelerating Asia of Singapore, Seneca College in Canada & University of Toronto in Canada.