Loadshedding-free country in 2 years

Says commerce minister

18 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Bss, Dhaka

Commerce Minister Mohammad Faruq Khan yesterday said Bangladesh would become a loadshedding-free country in two years as the government has taken a massive initiative for improving power generation. "People would not have to be worried about electricity crisis for a long time," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Future course of action about ICT" and installation of executive committee of Cyber Cafe, Owners' Association of Bangladesh (CCOAB) at the National Press Club. Vice chairman of Bengal Group and RTV and director of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Jasim Uddin spoke as the special guest. Former president of CCOAB Jahir Hossain chaired the function. CCOAB President Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan gave the address of welcome. CCOAB's Senior Vice President Niamul Haque Khan, General Secretary AM Kamal Uddin Ahmed, former general secretary Zulfiquar Haider, president of ISP Association Akhteruzzaman Manju, chairman of Bangladesh Tourism Promotion Foundation Alhaj Najir Mia spoke. The commerce minister said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken steps to open new avenues with enormous opportunities in the information communication technology (ICT) sector and the professionals in the sector, including CCOAB, should utilise those opportunities. Referring to the rule of Awami League from 1996 to 2001, he said the then government waived all sorts of taxes and duties on computer and computer accessories, which reduced the price of those drastically taking the country to the era of ICT. "But BNP-led government in 1992 did not avail the offer of connecting the country with submarine cable free of cost," he mentioned, adding that they failed to take a political decision for the welfare of the state.