“No software will be collected from any foreign company,” he said while inaugurating the three-day SoftExpo-2019 organised by Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) at the International Convention City Bashundhara in the city.

Palak said the government is working with the private sector to create jobs for 20 lakh youths by 2021 under the Establishing Digital Connectivity (EDC) project, said a PID handout.

He also the government is setting up 28 high-tech parks and incubation centres in the country to create skilled manpower to build Digital Bangladesh. “Besides, various programmes have been taken to crate young entrepreneurs.”

The state minister said work underway to ensure high-speed internet connections to all the unions across the country, including remote hilly regions, under the Establishment of ICT Network to Remote Areas (Connected Bangladesh) project while internet connectivity will reach every village under the EDC project.

He said some 10 crore people are now using the internet in the country.

The three-day exposition features Japan Day, corporate hour, ICT career camp, gaming fest and B2B matchmaking session.

Thirty seminars will be held on ICT where over 100 experts from different countries are presenting their deliberations.