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          The first ever internet fair in Bangladesh ‘Internet Fair 2004’ started in the city Thursday (April 15) at the Osmani Memorial Hall, Dhaka. Minister for the Science and Information and Communication Technology Abdul Moyeen Khan inaugurated the fair as the chief guest. The 4-day long Internet Fair will conclude on April 18.
The Internet Service Providers Association (ISPAB) of Bangladesh is organising the internet exposition and trade fair. About 45 internet service providers, solutions providers and Telcos are participating in the four-day event.
In his speech in the inaugural ceremony Moyeen Khan said I am delighted to be able to inaugurate the first ever internet fair in the country. He also said the present government is trying its best to give boost to the thrust sector of the country. We have formulated the IT policy, set up an ICT incubator, a research institute for the development of the IT sector of the country, and legalised VOIP, he added. Moyeen Khan also claimed that earlier no one took money from the Govt’s ICT fund. But during the tenure of the present government, few entrepreneurs have taken money from the ICT fund.
The honourable minister informed the audience that within a week 230 acres of land will be allotted to set up a Hitech Park. He quipped that it took 5 minutes’ time to inform about the initiatives by the present government. But it was a story of long time and hurdle to implement the mentioned plan. He also said all of you have heard that Bangladesh is going to be connected with the submarine cable. Within a short time the process will be started in this regard. He said that the private sector should capitalise on the advantage of the submarine cable, otherwise it would have been a matter of sadness for all of us.
He informed the audience that earlier electricity usage was the indicator to determine the difference between developed and underdeveloped countries. Now the indicator is internet usage. So, I want to thank the entrepreneurs who are playing a significant role in promoting and spreading internet use in the country.
Syed Marghub Morshed, Chairman of the BTRC, said I am delighted to be able to be present in the opening ceremony of the Internet Fair-2004.
The BTRC chairman also said in the fiercely competitive business scenario we have to reduce the cost of doing business. Keeping that in mind we are reducing the cost of telecom. We cannot reduce everything overnight. Three times the government has reduced the ISP licence fee. We’ll reduce it again. He said that with modesty I can claim that I played the key role in legalising VOIP in Bangladesh. He informed that within the next few months the BTRC would be able to start providing VOIP licence.
Talking to The Financial Express, Azhar H Chowdhury, the convener of the fair, expressed his opinion that through the opening of the Internet Fair 2004, the long-cherished dream of the ISP Association organisations, who are in business with the computer, computer accessories & internet and also users of those facilities, has been materialised. This is the first biggest get together of the Internet service providers, network organisations, web developers and Internet-related service organisations. Azhar also informed that an IT company from Hongkong, Speedcast, was participating in the fair.
Akhtaruzzaman Manju, the President of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh, gave the welcome speech in the opening ceremony. He said this is another milestone in the history of internet in Bangladesh. In the year 1996, internet was started in Bangladesh with the beginning of the Information Services Network (ISN) Limited. Right now 62 internet service providers are operating in Bangladesh. Another 150 companies have licences to do internet business.
SM Iqbal, the Managing Director of the ISN, in his speech said the beginning of internet in Bangladesh was in 1996. But by the time we could not achieve the exponential growth, what we should have to be achieved. Yes, it is true that internet has developed in Bangladesh, but the true thing is that we could not achieve the exponential growth like other countries in the world. Pradeshtanet, Agni System and Drik started the off-line internet in Bangladesh. The young generation of the country has played a great role at the beginning of internet in Bangladesh. But the matter of regret is that we could not bring the international standard quality internet in Bangladesh till now. We need quality internet along with government patronisation.
Zakiullah Shahid, Managing Director of Electra Telecom (BD), the gold sponsor of the fair, feel proud to be associated with the unique event.
Kafil H Muhit, Acting Director, Sales and Marketing, Grameen Phone said we are happy to be part of the Internet Fair 2004. In the past decade we witnessed the industrial revolution. In the next decade we will witness the ICT revolution. To be at par with other countries in the world in the ICT revolution, we have to be ready.