The third edition of the Bangabandhu Innovation Grant (BIG) 2023 ended with a stunning ceremony at the grand finale held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday, 17 June, 2023 .
The event was a great success as the top 52 startups were awarded a total of Taka 7 crore. Fabrik Lagabe Ltd. and Markopolo.ai emerged as joint winners, receiving Taka 2 crore each, while the remaining 50 startups were granted Taka 10 lakh each. The event, organized by the Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy (iDEA) Project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), aimed to inspire young entrepreneurs and foster a thriving startup ecosystem in the country.
The grand finale was attended by esteemed guests including Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Mr. Salman Fazlur Rahman and State Minister for ICT Division Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, who emphasized the government’s commitment to creating a favorable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. The event showcased the remarkable progress of the startup sector in Bangladesh and highlighted the collective efforts in building a digital nation.
Mr Zunaid Ahmed Palak spoke about Dohatec’s Electronic Government Procurement (EGP) technology during the inauguration event. In his lecture, he stressed the EGP system’s revolutionary power and its critical role in changing Bangladesh’s tendering process.
Let’s go deeper into Palak’s motivational words and consider the significance of Dohatec’s contribution to the country’s digital progress.
A Visionary Solution for a Digital Bangladesh: Honorable ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak began his remarks by recognizing Sheikh Hasina, the driving force behind Bangladesh’s digital transformation, for her visionary leadership. He recalled how, fourteen years ago, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina challenged her ICT Advisor, Mr Sajib Wazed Joy, to implement an e-tendering system that would make the process contactless, anonymous, and paperless. The goal of this challenge was to remove corruption, increase transparency, and assure effective procurement practices.
Dohatec’s Game-Changing Innovation: The EGP System Tenders were issued to create the e-Government system in accordance with Prime MInister Sheikh Hasina’s ambitious order. Luna Shamshuddoha, the late Chairman of Janata Bank, and her husband, Shamsuddoha, founders of Dohatec, emerged as true change agents at that time. They gave the government an outstanding solution in the form of the Electronic Government Procurement System, or EGP system.
Tendering Process Paradigm transformation: Since the adoption of the EGP system, Bangladesh has seen a significant transformation in its tendering environment. Tender box robberies and unscrupulous conduct in tender procurement no longer dominate the headlines. The EGP system has heralded a new era of equity, openness, and accountability. It has given entrepreneurs and bidders more leverage by fostering an environment in which merit and expertise triumph over malpractice.
Insights for the Next Generation: Recognizing the significance of Luna Shamsuddoha and Dohatec, ICT State Minister Mr Zunaid Ahmed Palak described them as a source of inspiration for young entrepreneurs. He lauded Dohatec’s path as an example of how local knowledge can lead to global economic potential. Dohatec began small, relying on their experience and references to gain contracts not just in Bangladesh, but also abroad, establishing itself as a global firm. Their success story exemplifies the enormous potential of local businesses to thrive and establish a name for themselves on the world arena.
Government’s Commitment to Nurturing Business Opportunities: Mr Palak underscored the government’s commitment to building a business-friendly environment. The administration has focused on developing a business-friendly ecosystem, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s supervision and the backing of IT Advisor Mr Sajib Wazed Joy. The government’s emphasis on supportive policies, rules, and regulations, as well as a commitment to deregulation where appropriate, has opened the way for more startups to thrive and capitalize on economic opportunities.
Dohatec’s Electronic Government Procurement (EGP) system exemplifies Bangladesh’s digital advancement. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership, along with Luna Shamshuddoha and Mr Shamsuddoha’s entrepreneurial energy, have played critical roles in defining the country’s tendering environment. The EGP system has developed openness, accountability, and efficiency, ensuring Bangladesh’s progress toward digital emancipation. As the Bangabandhu Innovation Grant (BIG) initiative promotes and celebrates businesses, Dohatec’s success story will undoubtedly continue to inspire and pave the way for future entrepreneurs to prosper in Bangladesh’s ever-changing digital world.
You can view ICT Division Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak’s speech on Dohatec over here: