The 20th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2016 was held in the Brazilian capital city of Brasilia on 3 – 5 October, says a press release.
Kicking off with a fabulous opening ceremony on 3 October at the CICB Convention Centre, the opening ceremony of the World’s top ICT event was graced by Gilberto Kassab, Minister of Science and Technology of Brazil as Chief Guest, while Rodrigo Rollemberg, Governor of Federal District of Brasilia was present as the special guest.
WICT has been organised by World Information and Technology Services Alliances (WITSA) on regular basis in each 2-year since 1978 upon awarding the responsibility of hosting through bidding to one of its members to host the event. This year ASSESPRO, a Brazilian association of IT companies& and an active WITSA member has been entrusted with the responsibilities of hosting WCIT 2016 Brasilia.
There were around 2,500 participants from around 82 countries; more than 60 internationally recognized speakers; estimated business generation was in the billions; and included the presence of top Brazilian and foreign government and private sector leaders in the WCIT 2016 Brasilia.
Co-ordinated by Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS) with the support of ICT Division and ICT Business Promotion Council, a 23-member Bangladesh delegation comprising representatives form public and private sectors attended the WCIT 2016. There was a Bangladesh pavilion to showcase success stories on ‘Digital Bangladesh’, to invite investment in the High-Tech parks, to promote BPO and to get connected with the components of WCIT 2016. An agreement was signed between BCS and CISA on the first day of WCIT 2016. BCS President Ali Ashfak and CISA Chairman Yvonne Chiu signed the document. Among others, Yang Wei-Fuu, Taiwanese Vice Minister of Ministry of Economic Affairs along with his team members from Taiwan and from Bangladesh side, Md. Harunur Rashid, Additional Secretary, ICT Division, Fakir FirozAhmmad, Coordinator Business Promotion Council, Mahbooba Panna, Deputy Secretary, ICT Division, SubrataSarker, Secretary General of BCS,Md. ShahidUlMunir, Director of BCS attended the signing ceremony and took part in the B2B & bilateral meetings.
The participation of Bangladesh in WCIT 2016 has brought few more prestigious achievements for the country. It is especially mentionable that former BCS PresidentSabur Khan has been re-elected as a member of WITSA Board of Directors and the Chairman of Global Trade Committee of WITSA at high level plenary session of WICT 2016 Brasilia. Repeating in the position ofChairman ofGlobal Trade Committeeis a rare case in the history of WITSA that has dignified Bangladesh’s position in the World’s ICT arena. Further it is worthwhile to point out that, as the BCS nominated candidate Sabur Khan has been re-elected uncontested in this position.
Further on a success story of Bangladesh in the WCIT 2016 is that one of the software conglomerates of the country, namely the ATI Limitednominated by BCS won prestigious WITSA MERIT AWARD. Shaikh Abu Reza, Executive Director of ATI Ltd received the award at a Gala Dinner and WITSA Awards Ceremony of WCIT 2016 Brasilia, where most of the delegation members of Bangladesh were present.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Ambassador to Brazil Mohamed MijarulQuayesvowed extreme support to Bangladesh delegation in the WCIT 2016 Brasilia. He called on a meeting at his office in Brasilia on 3 October with Md. Harunur Rashid, Additional Secretary, ICT Division and BCS President Ali Ashfak, while the Ambassador showed great interest and discussed how to strengthen more visibility of Bangladesh in the world through ICT. He extended all sorts of support to make Bangladesh’s event successful in the WCIT 2016 Brasilia.
Attending at the WCIT 2016 Brasilia was an utmost important for Bangladesh delegation since Bangladesh had won bidding of WITSA during WCIT 2014 and gained the opportunity to host theflagship event of WCIT in 2021, which is the year of Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh. Upon participation in the WCIT 2016 bringing together global leaders in business, government and academia from over 80 countries, the ICT Division of Bangladesh government in conjunction of BCS had few priorities and objectives, such as, i) to get involved with activities of arranging WCIT 2021 that BCS will host this event in 2021, ii) to facilitate the Bangladesh IT/ITEs to get access to the global exchange of ideas and policies on ICT as well as networking between ICT players, and iii) to impact economic and social development through the exchange of policies, practices, trends and ideas on ICT.
