Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was given a high-profile as she graced the occasion of honouring the best multi-media realisations and econtent products at the World Summit Award at Palexpo on Wednesday night.

Khaleda Zia was selected for her special emphasis and contribution to the development of ICT in Bangladesh by the organisers of the ongoing World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to honour the winners at the World Summit Award. This official event of the first-ever World Summit on the Information Society was the first contest in the history of mankind within the information society on a global scale.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister hoped that the establishment of a knowledgebased ICT society in Bangladesh and employing the newest forms of technology would bridge the fastgrowing digital divide between the rich and poorer countries.

"This event has special meaning for Bangladesh... our presence in Geneva testifies to our deep and abiding commitment to promoting

the ICT sector as an engine of growth in Bangladesh", Khaleda Zia said.

She distributed awards and certificates among the winners who were adjudged for their best econtents from around the world. The grand jury comprising the most eminent multi-media experts from 35 countries met in Dubai last October and evaluated more than 800 products from 136 countries.

The task was fulfilled and the most creative and innovative content was selected for the eight categories of the WSA and 40 outstanding projects was honoured and showcased at the United Nations WSIS Conference.

The prime minister said, "I am proud to represent South Asia as a patron of the World Summit Award giving ceremony ... I am pleased to be a part of this celebration of human creativity and ingenuity on the doorstep of the new millennium".

Khaleda Zia said that the ICT content creators and producers from around the world had gathered here to demonstrate the unique qualities and diversity of their products and to submit them to an open and fair contest.

She said her government had adopted ICT as a key national policy strategy to promote growth and alleviate poverty. She called for keeping abreast of worldwide technology developments, their quality content and user friendly applications.

She said ICT could virtually transform all sectors of the national economy to bigger strength, promote empowerment of the citizens, bolster development and advance democracy.

Khaleda Zia congratulated all competitors for the world summit award.

Armenian President Kocharian and State Secretary of Austria Morak were who distributed awards among the winners in eight categories.

Akhtaruzzaman of Bangladesh was a member of the 35 grand jury who selected the winners.

Khaleda Zia thanked young Akhtar for being nominated as a jury member.

Members have been chosen from each of the contest regions-Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North and South America and the Arab region.