ICT heroes honoured

Five companies and one individual were recognised yesterday at the eighth edition of the Brac Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards for their exceptional contributions to advancing the information and communication technology sector.

Planning Minister MA Mannan handed over the awards to the winners at a ceremony organised in association with Brac Bank and Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) at Le Meridien Dhaka, the hospitality partner for the event. 

Kazi Saifuddin Munir, managing director and chief executive officer of IT Consultants, was recognised as the ICT Business Person of 2022. Divine IT won the ICT solution provider of the year award in the local market focus category and Dynamic Solution Innovators in the international market focus category.

Pickaboo was awarded the Digital Commerce of the year, and Truck Lagbe and Moner Bondhu were the ICT start-ups of the year.

The prime minister has taken the first initiative in building digital and smart Bangladesh, Mannan said.

"Now, Bangladesh is advancing with the new startups of the youths. A bridge between the government and youths has been established and the government is working with everyone, including the ICT sector people, for the development of the country," the minister added.

The nominees for the awards have showcased exceptional talent and are a testament to the nation's potential and spirit, said Selim RF Hussain, managing director and chief executive officer of Brac Bank.

"They remind us that we can achieve anything when equipped with the right tools, mindset and environment. Today, let us pledge that we will continue to foster an environment where innovation thrives, dreams are realised and Bangladesh stands tall as a beacon of progress and prosperity," he added.

The prime minister has taken the first initiative to build digital and smart Bangladesh. Now, Bangladesh is advancing with the new startups of young people.

— MA Mannan Planning Minister

When the Digital Bangladesh vision was introduced in 2009, there was some uncertainty, said BASIS President Russell T Ahmed.

"However, there is now a strong confidence in our ability to build a Smart Bangladesh as the success of Digital Bangladesh boosted the morale."

The ICT sector will play a crucial role in shaping Smart Bangladesh, and as such, deserves the highest level of attention from policymakers.

Russell emphasised the need for collaboration between the ICT industry, academia and the government in research and development.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of promoting the sector and building a skilled workforce to support the export of IT services, which can be the next highest export earner after garment.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, shared his understanding of IT from the perspective of someone who is outside of the sector.

"To me, digitalisation means understanding the value of time. The value of time is at the core of the advancement of information technology. As a society, we still haven't grasped how to do things on time. Unless you have the mindset of saving time and more efficient use of time, I don't think its potential will come to us," he added.

This ICT award is a representation of the innovation and digital growth in Bangladesh and the ICT sector is emerging as a fresh catalyst for economic expansion, said Constantinos S Gavriel, general manager at Le Meridien Dhaka.

"This is a big honour for me. I am humbled. This recognition will inspire others to come up with new ideas," said Kazi Saifuddin Munir, the MD and CEO of ITCL, the parent company of Q-Cash.

Q-Cash revolutionised electronic payment and transaction systems for banks. Today, it services 36 banks and handles daily transactions of about Tk 400 crore.

Iqbal Ahmed F Hasan, the CEO of Divine IT, said he believes the country will be self-reliant in software.

Divine IT has been a stalwart IT solutions provider for governmental and corporate entities since its establishment in 2005. At the forefront of Divine IT's innovation stands PrismERP, a comprehensive system that encompasses more than 65 diverse business categories, even extending its benefits to government agencies.

Dynamic Solution Innovators (DSi) is a software development company that has been catering to clients in Asia, England and the US since 2001. The company specialises in crafting Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, e-commerce platforms, and comprehensive solutions for diverse industries. 

Pickaboo is a premier e-commerce platform in Bangladesh, specialising in mobile phones, electronics and gadgets.

Truck Lagbe is a tech-driven logistics platform connecting truck owners and shippers. With over 20,000 trucks and 43,000 shippers, it offers real-time tracking and truck utilisation services to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions with transparent pricing.

Moner Bondhu offers mental health and wellbeing services to individuals requiring assistance in combating the mental health stigma prevailing in Bangladesh. Its mobile application empowers users to connect with a dedicated team of professionals for counselling at their convenience, marking them as pioneers in the digital well-being sector in Bangladesh.

Morin Talukder, co-founder and CEO of Pickaboo.com; Anayet Rashid, CEO of Truck Lagbe; Tawhida Shiropa, founder and CEO of Moner Bondhu; Mojahedul Hoque Abul Hasanat, chief technology officer of DSi; Iqbal Ahmed Fakhrul Hasan, founder and CEO of Divine IT; and  Munir received the awards from Mannan.