Govt to take steps to support technology-led industry, skilled employment: Titumir

Prime Minister's Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has said Bangladesh would assess how fiscal policy, investment planning and public institutions can support technology-led industry and skilled employment.

Speaking at a dialogue, he urged participants to identify feasible projects, responsible counterparts and clear next steps and emphasised that cooperation should ultimately improve public services and create opportunities for the people of Bangladesh.

The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles organised the Bangladesh-Silicon Valley Technology Dialogue on September 27 at Cedar Hall, Stanford University, under the theme "Technology, Talent and Partnerships for Bangladesh's Future."

A special delegation sent by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met technology professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors, including members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, and State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj were part of the delegation.

Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam also addressed the dialogue.

State Minister Shama Obaed highlighted the achievements of Bangladeshi professionals in the global technology industry and the importance of sustained engagement with their networks.

She identified science and technology diplomacy as foreign policy priorities, with a focus on technology transfer, workforce development and stronger links between Bangladeshi institutions and the United States' research and innovation ecosystem.

Shama Obaed noted that such cooperation should help address practical needs in Bangladesh, including agriculture and food security.

State Minister Bobby Hajjaj emphasised that children need strong foundational learning alongside the digital skills required for a changing economy.

He called for practical teacher training, appropriate use of technology and AI in classrooms, and wider access to quality learning materials, including for students in underserved communities.

He also highlighted the value of testing approaches that improve learning outcomes before expanding them across the education system.

Consul General Kazi Muhammad Jabed Iqbal welcomed participants and conducted the proceedings.

Dr. Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed, Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto; Dr. Sharifa Sultana, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Islam, Distinguished Engineer at Uber; and Dr. Mostofa Patwary, a researcher at NVIDIA, presented on applications of AI for Bangladesh. Dr Mahbub Rashed of GlobalFoundries presented on the semiconductor industry and ecosystem development.

Dr Saif Islam, Professor and Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Davis, moderated a panel discussion on talent, technology and capital.

The panel included Adviser Rehan Asif Asad; Dr Shatil Haque of Credo Semiconductor; Dr Yusuf Haque, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Exo; Dr Omar Ishrak, former Chief Executive Officer of Medtronic and former Chair of Intel's Board of Directors; Mohammed Enayetur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer and President of UlkaSemi; and Badrul Sarwar, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of CloudAEye. Participants discussed research, workforce development, industry partnerships and access to investment.

Adviser Rehan Asif Asad reaffirmed the Government's commitment to developing Bangladesh's technology sector through stronger links among research, education, startups and industry.

Citing recent initiatives, including the BAER Summit, he emphasised the need to turn Bangladesh's growing technical talent into opportunities for innovation, investment and skilled employment.