BASIS

১লা মে আন্তর্জাতিক শ্রমিক দিবস অধিকার নিশ্চিত হোক, বৈষম্য দূর হোক। শ্রমজীবী মানুষের প্রতি আন্তরিক শ্রদ্ধা...

BASIS Launches Korea Desk to Expand Bilateral ICT Business In a major step towards strengthening bilateral trade, expanding business opportunities, boosting investment, and enhancing business cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) has launched the BASIS Korea Desk. The inauguration ceremony of the BASIS Korea Desk was held on Tuesday at the BASIS Auditorium. South Korea, being a highly innovative and technology-driven economy, presents immense opportunities for Bangladesh’s ICT sector. Through this new initiative, Bangladeshi ICT companies will be able to forge effective partnerships with South Korean counterparts. The BASIS Korea Desk will serve as a strategic platform for knowledge exchange, technology transfer, joint ventures, and market expansion between the two countries. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Shish Haider Chowdhury, ndc Secretary, ICT Division, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology. Distinguished guests included Park Young Sik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh, Dr. Md. Taibur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Wing Chief, ICT Promotion & Research, ICT Division, Mr Kim Taeyoung Country Director, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Bangladesh, Yu Yong Oh, Chairman of the Korean Community in Bangladesh, Shahab Uddin Khan, President, Korea-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KBCCI), and Edward Kim, Chairman of the BASIS Korea Desk, was also present as the special guests. Md. Engr. Emrul Kayes Porag, Member (Admin) of the BASIS Associate Committee, moderated the programme.  In her welcome address, Fouzia Nigar Sultana, Member (Finance) of the BASIS Associate Committee, stated that members of the BASIS Korea Desk will have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of initiatives. Presiding over the event, Rafel Kabir, Chairman of the BASIS Associate Committee, said, “The primary goal of establishing the BASIS Korea Desk is to connect Bangladesh’s ICT sector more closely with Korea’s expansive market. This initiative will facilitate technology and knowledge exchange, crucial for enhancing the skills and capacity of our IT professionals. At the same time, it will pave the way for building a sustainable economic relationship based on strategic cooperation, helping position Bangladesh as a formidable IT hub on the global stage.”

On April 28, 2025, the second meeting of the BASIS Microprocessor, Encryption & Quantum Computing Forum was held at BASIS Boardroom, chaired by Mr. Mujtaba Sattar (Anonto). The meeting centered on the urgent need for Bangladesh’s industries to proactively prepare for the emerging quantum era. Members stressed the importance of adopting a unified national approach to ensure a seamless and quantum-safe transition. With quantum computing technologies progressing at a rapid pace, the forum underscored the critical urgency of fortifying the country’s cybersecurity frameworks. Furthermore, the members emphasized to move swiftly — not only to mitigate the evolving threats posed by quantum advancements but also to strategically position itself to capitalize on the unprecedented business and innovation opportunities they present. Among the respected participants were Mr. K.M.Z. Hasan Mahmud, Managing Director, Cyber Aeronautycs Ltd., and Mr. Moin Uddin Rana, CEO, Fletofix. BASIS was represented by Mr. MOSTAIN BILLAH, Member, BASIS Associate Committee (Member In-Charge of the forum), and Mr. Md. Rafiul I., Asst. Manager, BASIS, who attended as the Secretariat In-Charge.

On Friday, April 25th, following the conclusion of JAPAN IT WEEK SPRING 2025, a dinner get-together was organized and invited BASIS for a fruitful discussion. From BASIS, Md. Rowshan Kamal James, Convener of the BASIS Japan Desk represented the ICT Industry and from Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Japan (BCCIJ) Mr. Badol Chakladar, President of BCCIJ and Mr. Sheikh Monjur Morshed, Vice President of BCCIJ also participated in the discussion.   The gathering served as a platform for participants to exchange experiences from this year’s IT WEEK. BCCIJ members also shared practical insights into the Japanese business market. The event emphasized the importance of creating more opportunities for Bangladeshi IT companies in Japan.   The evening focused on strengthening business collaboration between Bangladesh and Japan in the technology sector.   BHTPA, ICT Division representatives also attended the meeting along with the participants’ companies of Japan IT Week 2025.

On the occasion of World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2025, the BASIS Standing Committee on IPR, in collaboration with IRIIC, United International University (UIU), Medhashum, and Intellectual Property Rights Protection Platform, organized a seminar titled “Celebrating Creativity and Innovation on World IP Day 2025.” The event began with a video message from Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO, who highlighted the importance of safeguarding creativity and innovation. The seminar featured insightful talks by Mr. Arif Khan, constitutional expert and seasoned lawyer; Mr. Abu Sayeed Khan, journalist, author, and Chairman of Medhasum; and Prof. Khondaker A. Mamun, PhD, Founder and Director of IRIIC, UIU. They spoke about the need to protect Bangladesh's creative works, traditions, and geographical indicators and emphasized the role of universities as centers of innovation, especially as Bangladesh transitions to a knowledge-based economy. A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring Barrister Tasnuva Shelley, Chairman of the BASIS Standing Committee on IPR; Engr. M Mahbub Hussain, Co-Chair of the Committee; and Khayam Sanu Sandhi, renowned musician and composer. The discussion stressed the importance of registering and copyrighting all creative works and called for the development of local Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems. Currently, musicians are paying 15% of their income to foreign DRM providers to protect their work, and there was a strong call for BASIS to take a lead role in establishing a local DRM system. Speakers also noted that while Bangladesh has a strong legal framework, the country lacks a smart IP protection system and a formal method for valuing intangible assets like software. Proper IP valuation could attract more investment and support innovation. As the seminar concluded, participants were urged to innovate, protect, and value intellectual property for the growth of Bangladesh. The event ended with a special message from Ms. Farjana Yesmin, Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Dhaka, who further stressed the importance of intellectual property rights in Bangladesh and the need for establishing an Intellectual Property Bench in the courts. Mr. Md. Zulfiker Hayder, secretariat in charge of the BASIS Standing Committee on IPR, attended the program on behalf of the BASIS Secretariat.

BASIS had the honor of hosting H.E. Dharmapala Weerakkody, High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, for a strategic meeting focused on enhancing collaboration in the ICT sector. Discussions centered around skill sharing, developing strategic frameworks, and aligning policies to strengthen ICT ties between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Mr. Rafel Kabir, Chairman of the BASIS Associate Committee, presided over the meeting. Also representing the BASIS Associate Committee were Ms. Fouzia Nigar Sultana, Member (Finance); Mr. Md. Engr. Emrul Kayes Porag, Member (Admin); Mr. Md. Md. Rowshan Kamal, Member; and Mr. Md. MOSTAIN BILLAH, Member, who actively contributed their insights and ideas to shape the vision for future collaboration. The meeting was further attended by Ms. Srimali Jayarathna, First Secretary (Commercial) of the High Commission of Sri Lanka, and Ms. Farah Jabin Ahmed, Assistant Manager, Stakeholder Relations, BASIS. This engagement marks a significant step toward building a strong partnership between the two nations’ ICT industries through knowledge exchange and strategic cooperation.

BASIS Represents Bangladesh at Japan IT Week 2025 One of Asia’s largest and most prestigious international ICT exhibitions, Japan IT Week 2025 (Spring), has begun at Tokyo Big Sight, a renowned venue in Japan's capital city. Running from April 23 to 25, the event is a global platform for innovation and technological collaboration. This year, six member companies of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) are participating in this influential event with the support of the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. Their involvement highlights the growing capabilities and international ambitions of Bangladesh’s ICT sector. The Bangladesh Pavilion was formally inaugurated on Tuesday by Md Daud Ali, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan. Also present at the ceremony were Commercial Counsellor Morarjee Deshai Barman, Md. Tabibur Rahman, Deputy Secretary, ICT Division and SM Farid Uddin, Director (Admin & finance) (Deputy Secretary), Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. Throughout the three-day exhibition, six BASIS member companies—Banglafire Solution Ltd., BJIT limited, Fronture Technologies Limited, Inument Solutions Limited, Revo Interactive and Twinforce Solutions limited—are showcasing their ICT services and software solutions to an international audience from the Bangladesh Pavilion. Their participation is being coordinated by BASIS Associate Committee Member Md. Rowshan Kamal James. Commenting on the occasion, Rafel Kabir, Chairman of the BASIS Associate Committee, expressed his pride and optimism: “Representing Bangladesh’s ICT sector at a globally recognized platform like Japan IT Week is a significant milestone for us. This participation opens up global opportunities for our startups and IT companies while projecting the technological prowess of Bangladesh on the world stage. Moreover, we are already seeing interest and potential business leads from Japanese investors and stakeholders, which we hope will foster long-term partnerships and boost future collaboration between Bangladesh and Japan in the tech industry.” BASIS believes that such international exposure not only promotes individual enterprises but also strengthens the national ICT brand. Through showcasing cutting-edge innovations and fostering connections with global investors, the participation is expected to play a vital role in attracting investments and creating lasting partnerships between Bangladeshi tech firms and international markets.

The second meeting of the BASIS Standing Committee on IPR was held on Saturday, 19 April 2025 at the BASIS Boardroom. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Tasnuva Shelley, Chairman of the Committee, with Co-Chair Engr. Muhammad Mahbub Hussain and Member-in-Charge Mr. Md. MOSTAIN BILLAH present. The meeting was facilitated by Md. Zulfiker Hayder, secretariat-in-charge of the committee. The committee had a productive discussion focused on planning for World IP Day, which will be observed on 26 April. Ideas were shared around creating awareness about intellectual property rights through seminars and workshops in partnership with universities, legal practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders. The aim is to highlight the importance of IPR in Bangladesh and encourage stronger collaboration across sectors to build a more informed and resilient IP ecosystem.

NASA Congratulates Bangladesh on Artemis Accords, Praises Young Innovators April 19, 2025, Dhaka: The Government of Bangladesh has recently signed the Artemis Accords—an important international agreement on space exploration and cooperation. In response to this historic milestone, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States has extended heartfelt congratulations, recognizing the remarkable contributions of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) and the country’s young innovators on the global stage. On behalf of Acting Administrator Janet Petro, Allison James from the Global Community Management Team of the NASA Space Apps Challenge praised Bangladesh in a special email. He wrote, "The young minds of Bangladesh have shown the world their passion for space exploration. In four of the last six years, Bangladeshi innovators have been global champions in NASA's Space Apps Challenge… I have no doubt we will continue to see extraordinary scientists, engineers and even future astronauts emerge from Bangladesh." This international recognition is a proud moment for the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), which has been organizing the NASA Space Apps Challenge in Bangladesh for the last 11 consecutive years. Over the past decade, BASIS has played a pivotal role in nurturing innovation and science among Bangladeshi youth by investing financial and logistical resources, arranging venues across the country, and even sponsoring international trips for winning teams to attend global events and award ceremonies. Through its consistent efforts, Bangladesh has emerged as a global champion in this prestigious competition four times, including three consecutive years. In 2018, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology’s 'Team Olik' won in the 'Best Use of Data' category with their lunar VR project. In 2021, ‘Team Mohakash’ from KUET and BAUET became champions in the 'Best Mission Concept' category, followed by ‘Team Diamonds’ in 2022, winning in the ‘Most Inspirational’ category. Most recently, ‘Team Voyagers’ from Bangladesh clinched the ‘Best Storytelling’ award in 2023. Reflecting on this continued success, Rafel Kabir, Chairman of the BASIS Associate Committee, stated, “When we see one of our own at NASA raising the flag of Bangladesh, it fills us with pride. This competition opens a gateway for our youth to think freely and creatively in the fields of science and technology. I believe initiatives like this ignite the desire and ambition among our younger generation to become scientists in the future.”