US-based IT company to hire 1,000 graduates for Bangladesh operations

Kazi IT Center Ltd, a US-based company, yesterday struck an agreement with the government to recruit 1,000 fresh graduates for its operations in Rajshahi -- a move that will boost foreign currency earnings.

“Bangladeshi youth are very creative and we want to make the best of them,” said Mike Kazi, chief executive officer of the company, after signing the deal with Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC).

Mohammad Enamul Kabir, director for training and development of the council, signed the deal on behalf of the government at a ceremony at the Information Communication and Technology Division in the capital, in the presence of State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

Kazi IT, which began its journey in Bangladesh in 2010, has set up an office in Rajshahi and will start hiring this month. It will also invest in Kaliakoir and Jessore hi-tech parks to expand its footprint.

The company is currently running its business in California, USA. Last year, its turnover was $30 million, which is expected to reach $50 million this year, said Kazi, a non-resident Bangladeshi.

Palak said the government plans to develop Rajshahi as an IT hub of Bangladesh, and the initiative of Kazi IT would help promote the northern city on the world stage as an ICT destination.

The government will soon start setting up an IT park in the city, he said, adding that export earnings by the ICT sector would cross $1 billion next year and $5 billion by 2021.

Kazi IT is one of the top 10 exporters in Bangladesh's ICT sector. The company bought six IT companies in the US and plans to buy some firms in Bangladesh as well, said Md Sadiqur Rahman, a manager at Kazi IT.