The Bangladeshi government has set a target to create one million jobs in the digital sector within the next five years, aiming to establish the country as a regional hub for information technology and artificial intelligence (AI). This goal was outlined by Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam during the Bangladesh TechConnect 2026 event held in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Minister Anam emphasized the increasing role of technological capabilities in economic resilience and attracting high-value investment. He highlighted government efforts to build reliable, secure, and high-speed digital infrastructure across both urban and rural areas to facilitate access to digital services and global markets for citizens, businesses, and entrepreneurs.

The conference, organized by the Posts and Telecommunications Division alongside Huawei, gathered over 500 policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, academics, and technology experts. Discussions centered on the need for stronger digital connectivity, affordable smartphones, enhanced data-centre capacity, and a skilled workforce to leverage AI for economic growth and job creation.

Anam outlined three key priorities for Bangladesh’s digital transformation: developing inclusive and resilient broadband infrastructure, converting connectivity into tangible productivity gains, and addressing AI as both an opportunity and a responsibility. He noted that effective AI adoption requires adequate computing power, high-quality data, skilled professionals, robust research, and a vibrant domestic innovation ecosystem. Additionally, cybersecurity, privacy protection, fairness, and accountability were identified as critical to maintaining public trust in AI technologies.

Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman pointed out the disparity between the country’s mobile network coverage and actual internet use, stressing that infrastructure expansion alone would not guarantee digital inclusion. He flagged ongoing challenges related to affordability, service reliability, and data privacy, calling for more affordable devices, resilient networks, and stronger personal information protection.

Information and Communication Technology Division Secretary Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan outlined five strategic pillars for digital development: legal and policy frameworks, reliable connectivity, digital public infrastructure, AI and cybersecurity, and domestic manufacturing. Bhuiyan underscored the high cost of smartphones as a barrier, noting entry-level smartphones start at around Tk 9,000 to Tk 10,000, while simpler feature phones can be purchased for as little as Tk 999. To address these issues, the government is developing a national AI policy and plans to introduce a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Act, along with integrated digital identity and wallet frameworks aimed at enhancing interoperability among existing digital public services.

Huawei South Asia President Jason Wu affirmed the company's commitment to collaborating with the Bangladeshi government and industry partners to improve digital infrastructure, promote connectivity, and advance cloud computing and AI technologies.

During panel discussions, experts stressed that Bangladesh’s AI readiness would depend on expanding network capacity, making 4G smartphones more affordable, increasing computing resources, and broadening availability of Bangla-language digital services. Ashish Garg, director of policy and spectrum strategy at GSMA Asia Pacific, cited data showing that only around five percent of internet users in low- and middle-income countries engage with generative AI, compared to approximately 25 percent in high-income countries. Despite 99 percent 4G network coverage in Bangladesh, he emphasized the need for network improvements to manage growing AI-related data demands.

Huawei South Asia Chief Technology Officer Li Jiang announced plans to collaborate with Chinese partners to support local production of affordable 4G smartphones within the next year, while also working with mobile operators to boost network quality and expand 5G availability. He highlighted the potential of AI to transform existing jobs and create new opportunities, particularly in digital content creation and the development of a Bangla-language ecosystem for AI-generated media.

Other panelists stressed the importance of reliable electricity, cloud services, data centers, and a skilled workforce to support AI applications across sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and public services. The event’s other sessions focused on next-generation network developments and leveraging technology to enhance industrial efficiency, with discussions on the commercial potential of 5G, fixed wireless access, and enterprise connectivity in industries such as garment manufacturing, ports, agriculture, and healthcare.

The conference also featured an exhibition showcasing innovations in enterprise digitalization, smart government, education, digital power management, smartphones, and AI applications.