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NICTF leaders pay tribute to Ziaur Rahman, target $10b ICT exports
Daily Sun Report, Dhaka
Published: 24 Oct 2026, 01:38 PM
NICTF targets $10bn ICT exports as leaders pay tribute to Ziaur Rahman
Leaders of the newly formed full committee of the Nationalist ICT Forum (NICTF) pledged to help build a $10 billion export industry in Bangladesh’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector within the next five years.
They paid tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at his mausoleum in Dhaka on Saturday, reaffirming their commitment to his ideals and the development of the country’s ICT sector.
The delegation was led by NICTF adviser and writer Dr Maruf Mallik and President Engineer Rafel Kabir. Among those present were Vice-Presidents Jannatul Hoque Shapla and Hasibur Rashid, General Secretary Mamun Or Rashid, Organising Secretary Jubayer Riyel, Joint Secretary Fuad Hasan, Publicity and Publication Secretary Md Mojammel Haque, Media Affairs Secretary Yasir Wardad Tonmoy and International Affairs Secretary Mosharef Hossain Sikdar, among others.
The visit came three days after the forum announced its 103-member committee on October 21. The committee brings together ICT professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, journalists and young technologists from Bangladesh and abroad.
Engineer Rafel Kabir heads the committee, while Professor A K M Wahiduzzaman has been named chief adviser. Dr Maruf Mallik, a writer and political analyst, is among the advisers.
Dr Maruf Mallik said the forum wanted to free the country’s ICT sector from what it described as fascist influence and make it more competitive in international markets.
“We want to free the country’s ICT sector from fascist influence and make it competitive in international markets. Through these efforts, we aim to help Bangladesh move towards building a $10 billion export industry within the next five years,” he said following the committee’s announcement.
He said achieving the target would require a competitive business environment, better professional skills and more opportunities for technology entrepreneurs and skilled workers.
NICTF President Rafel Kabir said the forum would work to unite ICT professionals and promote a technology-driven, modern Bangladesh while upholding Ziaur Rahman’s ideals.
He identified strengthening the domestic technology industry, developing skilled human resources and encouraging innovation as key priorities.
The forum aims to expand exports of software, information technology-enabled services and other technology-based products to create jobs, attract investment and boost foreign exchange earnings.
Reaching the $10 billion target will require sustained growth in export-oriented businesses, increased investment in research and development, improved digital infrastructure and stronger links with international markets.
The newly formed committee is expected to expand the forum’s activities, strengthen engagement with ICT professionals and advance its stated goals.