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ICT heroes honoured

5 companies, one individual get 8th Brac Bank- ICT Awards
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Five companies and one individual were recognised yesterday at the eighth edition of the Brac Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards for their exceptional contributions to advancing the information and communication technology sector.
Planning Minister MA Mannan handed over the awards to the winners at a ceremony organised in association with Brac Bank and Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) at Le Meridien Dhaka, the hospitality partner for the event.
Kazi Saifuddin Munir, managing director and chief executive officer of IT Consultants, was recognised as the ICT Business Person of 2022. Divine IT won the ICT solution provider of the year award in the local market focus category and Dynamic Solution Innovators in the international market focus category.
Pickaboo was awarded the Digital Commerce of the year, and Truck Lagbe and Moner Bondhu were the ICT start-ups of the year.
The prime minister has taken the first initiative in building digital and smart Bangladesh, Mannan said.
“Now, Bangladesh is advancing with the new startups of the youths. A bridge between the government and youths has been established and the government is working with everyone, including the ICT sector people, for the development of the country,” the minister added.
The nominees for the awards have showcased exceptional talent and are a testament to the nation’s potential and spirit, said Selim RF Hussain, managing director and chief executive officer of Brac Bank.
“They remind us that we can achieve anything when equipped with the right tools, mindset and environment. Today, let us pledge that we will continue to foster an environment where innovation thrives, dreams are realised and Bangladesh stands tall as a beacon of progress and prosperity,” he added.
When the Digital Bangladesh vision was introduced in 2009, there was some uncertainty, said BASIS President Russell T Ahmed.
“However, there is now a strong confidence in our ability to build a Smart Bangladesh as the success of Digital Bangladesh boosted the morale.”
The ICT sector will play a crucial role in shaping Smart Bangladesh, and as such, deserves the highest level of attention from policymakers.
Russell emphasised the need for collaboration between the ICT industry, academia and the government in research and development.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of promoting the sector and building a skilled workforce to support the export of IT services, which can be the next highest export earner after garment.
Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, shared his understanding of IT from the perspective of someone who is outside of the sector.
“To me, digitalisation means understanding the value of time. The value of time is at the core of the advancement of information technology. As a society, we still haven’t grasped how to do things on time. Unless you have the mindset of saving time and more efficient use of time, I don’t think its potential will come to us,” he added.
This ICT award is a representation of the innovation and digital growth in Bangladesh and the ICT sector is emerging as a fresh catalyst for economic Divine IT
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