BASIS Japan Desk launched formally

BASIS Japan Desk, which will work specifically on the Japan market, was formally launched on Monday, hoping to expand the business of Bangladeshi companies in Japan and to increase export earnings.

Salman F Rahman, the adviser to the prime minister on private industry and investment, inaugurated the desk as the chief guest.

The desk will work on B-to-B matchmaking, connecting with Japanese IT companies, research on the Japan market, participation in all events held in Japan, grooming sessions on Japanese business and culture, informing about new business opportunities coming from Japan, etc, reads a press release.

In his keynote address, Salman F Rahman lauded Japan's contribution to the recognition and reconstruction of Bangladesh after independence.

He welcomed the initiative of BASIS Japan Desk to strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries and to expand trade in the information and communication technology sector.

He emphasised launching special training programmes for young entrepreneurs to learn Japanese.

Although the software is an invisible product, its need is always increasing even in this time of Covid-19 epidemic. In future, the IT sector will be known as the largest export sector in the country and a large number of employment opportunities will be created in this sector, he added.

He called on BASIS to take immediate steps to open a Bangladesh desk in Tokyo in addition to the BASIS Japan desk.

He advised the BASIS president to submit a detailed action plan proposal in the form of Information and communication technology department and Bangladesh investment development authority and assured necessary cooperation in this regard.

Speaking as the special guest on the occasion, state minister for information and communication technology Junaid Ahmed Palak said Japan is an old friend and development partner of Bangladesh. BASIS has been working for the last few years to explore the IT market in Japan and facilitate Japanese investment in Bangladesh in building a digital Bangladesh and real development in the information and communication technology sector. This desk will play a significant role in increasing the export of Bangladesh's IT industry to Japan through various activities.

Citing various initiatives taken by BASIS to develop trade relations with Japanese IT entrepreneurs, he said BASIS has been working for the last few years to build the position and confidence of Bangladeshi IT companies in the Japanese market.

BASIS president Syed Almas Kabir in his speech said BASIS Japan Desk will serve as an effective milestone in IT business between Japan and Bangladesh. About 70 BASIS member organisations have already been listed on the Japan desk by paying a monthly fee.

He hoped that the desk would encourage BASIS members to expand their business in Japan and Japanese entrepreneurs to set up Bangladesh Offshore Development Centre.

BASIS president Syed Almas Kabir gave a presentation on bilateral relations between Japan and Bangladesh, various activities held between the two countries in recent times, and trade prospects.

Mahbub Zaman, former president of BASIS also spoke at the inaugural function. Farhana A Rahman, senior vice president, BASIS, delivered the closing remarks of thanks.

The event was hosted by Rashad Kabir, convener of BASIS Japan Focus Group and director of BASIS.

NM Ziaul Alam PAA, senior secretary, department of information and communication technology; Md Zafar Uddin, secretary, ministry of commerce; Ito Naoki, ambassador, the embassy of Japan; Ariful Haque, commercial counsellor, Embassy of Bangladesh, Tokyo; Yuho Hayakawa, country representative, Jica; UG Ando, ​​country representative, Jetro addressed the function as the guest of honour.