JCI Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023: Towards a smarter future

Smart Bangladesh - the vision for the nation's future in culminating the advancement of modern technology for the benefit of everyone. The goal embodies the power of innovation, digitalisation, and connectivity, embracing a society where technology enhances every facet of life, fostering economic growth, empowering citizens, and promoting sustainable development. 

From smart cities to digital governance, this comprehensive strategy aims to position Bangladesh as a global leader in the digital age, harnessing the immense potential of technology to create a prosperous and inclusive nation. JCI Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023, putting forward this very concept of a smart nation, invited policymakers, leaders, and experts from various national and international sectors, to discuss the steps needed to push this vision further and truly make the dream of Smart Bangladesh a reality. 

Day 1

On the opening day of the two-day-long summit, the discussions brought forward a diverse array of opinions and perspectives from local and foreign speakers, converging to share their insights on the transformative journey ahead. These experts, ranging from business to technology to media, brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, thus igniting a sense of inspiration to effectively embody the goal of a technologically smart nation. With the insights offered from the lively discussion, the stage was set for a dynamic collaboration of ideas, which fueled the collective determination to propel the nation towards a brighter, more connected future.

During the inaugural session titled 'Empowering Responsible and Tech-Savvy Citizens', esteemed individuals emphasised the crucial aspects of building a smart Bangladesh. The speakers included Manik Mahmud, Programme Specialist Innovation, a2i, ICT Division; Rayana Hossain, Founder and Managing Director, ISHO and Director, Dekko Isho Group; Yahia Amin, President, Lifespring Foundation; Dr Abdun Noor Tushar, media personality, writer, activist; and Yasir Azman, CEO, Grameenphone. This session was moderated by Barrister Wolora Afrin, Managing Partner, Wolora Ashfaque and Associates.

The second session, titled 'Driving Economic Growth through Innovative Financial Strategies', featured Seyed Mosayeb Alam (Eikiyo), Chief of Staff, Shopup; Md. Forhad Zahid Shaikh, Chief Strategist (e-Governance), a2i, ICT Division; Khalid Hossin, Head of Digital Banking Division, Mutual Trust Bank Ltd; Sayma Rahman, Founder & CEO, SR Ventures & Consultancy and Mentor, Stanford Seeds; Pranav Mittal, Senior Investment Analyst, Flourish Ventures; Mamun Rashid, Country Clients and Markets Lead, PwC Bangladesh; and Md. Altamis Nabil, author, trainer & social activist and Founder, B Positive Foundation, as the moderator. They talked about the fact that being an entrepreneur is not solely about gaining financial standing, it entails having the right idea and mindset geared towards progress. 

The third session was titled 'Tech Infrastructure and Capacity Building', and had a lively discussion on the indispensable nature of collaborative efforts across all sectors when it comes to developing technology infrastructure. This session had Fazle Munim, Manager, Government and Public Sector, Ernst & Young as the moderator; with speakers being Mohammad Oli Ahad, Founder and CEO, Intelligent Machines Limited; Pribadi Surjanto Marshall, Founding CEO, Privy; Md. Hafijur Rahman, Technology Analyst, a2i, ICT Division; Tasnuva Ahmed, Director and Chief Operating Officer, Astha IT & Founder and CEO, Cloud Convoy; Ishtiaque Sarwar, Founder & Managing Director, aamarPay; Lt Col Rakibul Hassan, Sigs (Retd), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Link3; and Sharful Alam, Chief Executive Officer, Felicity IDC Limited & Chief Strategy Officer of Fiber@Home Limited. This session highlighted how no single sector can achieve the goal of Smart Bangladesh in isolation, stressing the importance of partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collective action. 

The fourth session, named 'Cashless Society: Building Smart Economy', focused on how Bangladesh can be a cashless society. As digital transactions are becoming more and more popular around the world, the speakers in this session highlighted how the cashless system in this country should be simplified, including reducing levies on some online transactions. The speakers were Mohammad Aminul Haque, Executive Director, Nagad Limited; Md. Kyser Hamid, Managing Director & CEO, Bangladesh Finance; Mamoon Mahmood Shah, Managing Director, NRB Bank Limited; Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Manager, Mastercard; Md. Motasem Billah, Director (PSD), Bangladesh Bank; Debdulal Roy, Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank; and Zeeshan Kingshuk Huq, Director & Group COO, Agile Minds Solutions Ltd, as the moderator.

The fifth session was titled 'Startupverse', and the discussion revolved around how local entrepreneurs can navigate the dynamic landscape of startups and how innovation can lead to effective transformation in the global sphere known as the 'startup-verse'. The moderator for this session was Biplob Ghosh Rahul, Founder & CEO, eCourier Ltd. The speakers were Rezwanul Haque Jami, Head (Commercial Strategy), a2i, ICT Division; Tanvir Sourov, Co-Founder & CEO, Socian AI; Monowara Chowdhury, Founder, Wellness and Growth Hub by Moon; Waseem Alim, Founder & CEO, Chaldal; Eshita Sharmin, CEO, Bikroy.com; Noor Elahi, Managing Director, Wagely Bangladesh; and Shomi Kaiser, President, e-CAB.

The sixth and final session of Day 1 was about 'Environment, Agriculture & Healthcare', with special emphasis on how Bangladesh can adopt smart solutions for a greener tomorrow while ensuring sustainability in the aforementioned national sectors. Md Sariful Islam, Development Professional & CCO, IOM Bangladesh, moderated this discussion, which consisted of Arafat Amin, Advisory Product Manager, Huawei South Asia; Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, Executive Director, Techno Drugs Limited; Dr. Sayedul Ashraf, Managing Director, Lifespring; Mohammad Abdul Matin Emon, Chief Strategy and Product Officer, Praava Health; Rashed Mujib Noman, Country Director, Augmedix Bangladesh; Jamil M. Akbar, Co-Founder & COO, iFarmer; and d Bushra Afreen, Chief Heat Officer, Dhaka North City Corporation, Bangladesh & Arsht-Rock.

Day 2

The second day of the event started with the session 'Igniting Innovation and Collaboration for Smarter Industry', which was moderated by Irfan Uddin, Director, FARR Ceramics Ltd. The speakers, which included Eazaz Mohammed, Managing Director, Orchard Group; Kazi Fahad, Director, Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association; Md. Muiz Tasnim Taqui, Director, Deloitte; Hadi Chowdhury, Head of Retail Operations, Yellow, Beximco Textile Industry Limited; Selim H. Rahman, Chairman & MD, Hatil Furniture; and Abul Kasem Khan, Vice Chairman, A.K. Khan & Company Ltd, discussed that if Bangladesh lags in the use of innovative technology, we might suffer financially and be unable to present products in the global market. As such, the country needs to increase the use of all types of modern technologies, including AI and machine learning, to boost production and management.

The second session of the second day, with the topic 'Financing the Future: Capital Market', talked about how the capital market is transforming recently, which is enabling new ways to drive sustainable growth. Asif Khan, Co-Founder, EDGE Ventures Limited, moderated the session, which had Rizwan Rahman, Former President, DCCI; Asif Ibrahim, Chairman, Chittagong Stock Exchange Ltd; Arif Khan, Vice Chairman, Shanta Asset Management Limited; and Dr Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed, Commissioner, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), as speakers.

The third session, titled 'Smart Bangladesh in the Eyes of Youth', featured some individuals who had made the 'Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of Asia' list in the past few years. Among them, Zafir Shafiee Chowdhury, Co-Founder & CIO, Bondstein Technologies Limited, was the moderator. The panel discussants were Diptha Saha, Co-Founder & COO, Agroshift; Aziz Arman, Co-Founder & CEO, Jatri; Rubaiyat Farhan, Co-Founder & COO, Marcopolo.ai; Saraban Tahura Turin, Co-Founder, Turtle Venture Studio; Shuvo Rahman, Founder & CEO, MyAlice; Mir Sakib, Co-Founder, Cramstack; Mir Shahrukh Islam, Co-Founder & CEO, Bondstein Technologies Limited; and Tasfia Tasbin, Co-Founder & CEO, Marcopolo.ai.

The fourth session of Day 2 was called 'Smart Education', with the topic of smart employment and how it is shaping the future of learning in the current smart era. The moderator was Md. Tajdin Hassan, Chief Business Officer, The Daily Star; with the speakers being Shubasish Bhowmick, Country Director (Bangladesh) at ATEC; H.M. Asad-Uz-Zaman, Strategy & Innovation Specialist, a2i, ICT Division; S M Zubayer Al Masud, Director, Cloud Core Solutions, Huawei South Asia Rep Office; Rasheda K Chowdhury, Advisor of Former Caretaker Government, Executive Director, CAMPE; and Ashim Kumar Ukil, Member of Parliament of Netrokona-3.

The final session, titled 'Creating Sustainable and Resilient Smart Cities: The Role of Real Estate', discussed the topic of sustainable real estate. Aysha Siddiqua, Executive Director (Brand), BTI, was the moderator. Tamanna Rabbani, Vice President, Ananta Real Estate Ltd.; Mashid Rahman, Managing Director, Rangs Properties Limited; Rafiq Azam, Architect; Engr. Tanveerul Haque Probal, Managing Director, Building for Future Ltd.; F R Khan, Managing Director, Building Technology & Ideas Ltd. (BTI); were the panel discussants.