Nationalist ICT Forum announces full committee, targets $10b exports in five years

The Nationalist ICT Forum (NICTF) aims to turn Bangladesh’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector into a $10 billion export industry within five years, pledging to remove what it calls fascist influence and boost global competitiveness.

The forum announced a 104-member committee, naming Engineer Rafael Kabir president and Engineer Md Mamun Or Rashid general secretary.

Professor AKM Wahiduzzaman was named chief adviser to its eight-member advisory committee, which includes writer and political analyst Dr Maruf Mallik and MP Engineer Md Ashraf Uddin Bakul, according to an NICTF press release on Wednesday. The committee comprises IT and related-sector professionals tasked with strengthening the organisation and contributing to industry development.

Dr Maruf Mallik said the forum would work to free the ICT sector from what it termed fascist influence and improve its international competitiveness.

“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.

He said the sector needed a competitive business environment, stronger professional skills and more opportunities for technology entrepreneurs and skilled workers to compete globally.

The forum aims to create jobs, attract investment and boost foreign exchange earnings through software, IT-enabled services and other technology-based exports. It sees potential for growth through better service quality, skilled human resources and greater access to international markets for local firms.

General Secretary Mamun Or Rashid said reaching the $10 billion target would require sustained growth in export-oriented technology businesses, more research and development investment, improved digital infrastructure and stronger international links. He also stressed policies supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and fair competition, alongside a skilled workforce suited to global market demands.

The committee will set priorities and advance the forum’s objectives, supporting broader efforts to diversify Bangladesh’s exports beyond traditional sectors and expand technology-driven services’ contribution to the economy.