The government of Bangladesh has undertaken eight strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the nation into a cost-effective, sustainable, innovative, intelligent, and knowledge-based 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041. These initiatives are designed to enhance the ICT sector's contribution to the GDP, expand digital services, and foster innovation across various domains. Key Initiatives and Targets ICT Sector Growth: The government aims for the ICT sector to contribute 20 percent to the GDP by 2041. This ambitious target is part of a broader strategy to diversify the nation's economic foundations. Digitization of Government Services: By 2041, 100 percent of government services will be digitized, making them more accessible to the populace. This effort seeks to streamline processes and enhance the efficiency of public service delivery. Boost in ICT Exports and Employment: The plan includes increasing ICT exports to USD 5 billion and expanding ICT employment to 3 million by 2025. Additionally, professional mentorship will be provided to 1,000 Bangladeshi startups by 2025 to nurture emerging entrepreneurs. Innovation Hubs: Establishment of 10 innovation hubs within the top universities aims to stimulate creativity and technological advancement. Startup Ecosystem: The goal to build at least 5 unicorns—startups valued at over USD 1 billion—reflects the government's commitment to fostering a robust startup ecosystem. Specialized Labs for 4IR Technologies: Universities will host specialized labs focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as Robotics, AI, IoT, Big Data, Blockchain, and AR/VR, preparing students for future job markets. Smart Digital Leadership Academy and 4IR Centre: These institutions will play pivotal roles in cultivating leadership and technical skills necessary for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Read more: Govt to include Smart Bangladesh in mid-term dev plan: Official Document Current Progress and Future Plans With over two-thirds of Bangladesh's population in the workforce, skill development and employment generation, particularly in the ICT sector, are high priorities. The government is actively transforming its large workforce to meet future market demands, as evidenced by the slight decrease in unemployment from 4.2 percent in FY 2016-17 to 3.6 percent in 2022, according to the Labor Force Survey 2022. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently highlighted that the unemployment rate is at three percent. Efforts to decrease this further include the Skills for Employment Improvement Program, implemented by the Finance Division, under which over 600,000 individuals have been trained. Furthermore, the successful implementation of various initiatives has already facilitated employment for about 2 million people in fields ranging from IT freelancing to fintech and e-commerce, according to the official document ‘Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26)’. The Bangladesh Hi-tech Park Authority is also working to convert over 60,000 youths into IT professionals by 2025, with 37,800 already having completed training programs, the document added. Read more: Join hands in building ‘Smart Bangladesh’ under PM Sheikh Hasina's leadership: Envoy Looking Ahead The ICT Division has formulated the "Smart Bangladesh: ICT 2041 Master Plan" centered around four pillars: Smart Citizen, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society. These pillars are expected to guide Bangladesh to the next stage of development, leveraging the potential of the 4IR to achieve a smarter and more sustainable future. The initiatives reflect a comprehensive strategy by the Bangladesh government to harness the power of digital technology and innovation, steering the country toward significant economic transformation and enhanced global competitiveness by 2041. Read more: Palak delivers speech on Smart Bangladesh in Singapore

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business world, the term “successful company” is often used to describe organizations that have managed to achieve exceptional growth, profitability, and market dominance. However, building a successful company is not just about generating high revenues or achieving a large market share. Rather, it is about creating a sustainable business model that delivers real value to customers while ensuring long-term profitability and growth. Building a successful company is not easy, but it is possible with the right mindset, strategies, and execution. A successful company requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and persistence to overcome obstacles and achieve goals. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to help you build a successful company from scratch. 12 Ways to Build a Successful Company Building a successful company involves several essential steps. Let’s go over the essential steps you need to build a successful company. Analyze the Market and Competition Analyzing the market allows entrepreneurs to identify potential opportunities and gaps in the market that their business can fill. By understanding customer needs, preferences, and trends, businesses can develop products or services that better meet these demands, providing a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Read More: Silent Partner vs Investor in Business: Know the Difference, Pros and Cons Develop a Business Plan Develop a comprehensive business plan to outline your company's goals, strategies, and financial projections. This plan serves as a roadmap for your business and should include your company's vision, mission, and values. In addition to that, identify your target market, analyze the competition, and define your unique selling proposition. Determine the resources and funding required to start and operate your business. To monitor your expenses and revenue and ensure adequate cash flow for your business in the long term, include financial projections and budgets in your business plan. Building a successful business requires a solid business plan. This plan will act as a blueprint for your company -- helping you make informed decisions and stay focused on your goals as you face the challenges of entrepreneurship. Developing a well-researched and structured business plan is crucial to transforming your business idea into a thriving company.

International Women’s Day is being observed in the country today (march 08, 2023), as elsewhere across the globe, with focus on gender equality and empowerment of women. This year’s theme, ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’, highlights the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and development needs of women and girls. International Women’s Day is observed every year on March 8 to put focus on women’s ongoing struggle for equality. Also Read: Top 10 International Scholarships for Women to Study Abroad Different organizations have chalked out elaborate programmes, including rallies, discussions and cultural events, to mark the day. Bangladesh's President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels are airing special programmes while newspapers published supplements highlighting the significance of the day. Also Read: UN secretary-general says women’s right are under threat

The country’s leading online marketplace Daraz Bangladesh has organized the "Bangladesh Media Innovation Awards 2022" (BMIA 2022) event ceremony at the Ruposhi Bangla Grand Ballroom, InterContinental Dhaka on Tuesday.  Daraz Bangladesh organized the first-of-its-kind media awards recognizing innovative practices toward digital transformation, content marketing, and news distribution, with the aim to seek out the leading lights in the local digital media for their innovative ideas and practices.  Planning Minister MA Mannan joined the event as chief guest, while Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury was present as the special guest.  Daraz Bangladesh’s Managing Director Syed Mostahidal Hoq, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer A H M Hasinul Quddus and other officials and media personnel from various industries and media outlets were also present at the ceremony. “Bangladesh is going through several changes and transitions. The opportunities for Daraz in the global marketplace and our media outlets in the global media landscape are truly limitless, and we want to thank Daraz Bangladesh for recognizing the innovators in our local media industry,” MA Mannan said at the event.  Deputy Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury said, “Due to the lack of quality entertainment and meaningful programs in our media industry, people in our urban and rural communities are being misguided by religious extremists. We need to recognize the deserving media personnel who are trying to ensure quality content in tv, print and web, and this award is virtuously performing that responsibility.”  Read: Daraz Bangladesh celebrates its 8th anniversary A total of twenty best performers from various wings of the country's media industry were presented with the prestigious BMIA 2022 awards. The winners were - The Business Standard, under the Innovative Print Layout category; Dhaka Tribune, under the category of Innovative Special Supplement, ICE Business Times, under the Best Business Magazine category; ICE today under the Best Lifestyle Magazine; The Business Standard, under the category of the Best use of infographics; The Daily Samakal, under the Best Social Media Campaign; Deepto TV, under the Best Use of Social Media category; Chorki, under the Best Digital Diversification Project category; The Daily Jugantor, under the Best Co-branded online project; Somoy TV, under the Most innovative digital report; DBC News, under the Best TV Programme for Women category; Duronto TV, under the Best TV Programme (Kids) category; Jamuna TV under the Best TV Programme (Entertainment) category; ATN Bangla under the Best TV Programme (Lifestyle) category; Ekattor Media Ltd., under the Best TV Programme (Sports); Independent TV under the Best Country Branding Programme category. Bangladesh Television (BTV), Channel I, Ittefaq and The Daily Star received the BMIA 2022 under the special recognition category.  After the ceremony, popular singers Khayam Sanu Sandhi, Karishma Sanu Sovvota and Musharrat Aanchal performed at the event.   Bangladesh Brand Practitioner was the event's outreach partner, SBK Foundation was the strategic partner, Reboot was the event partner and Dimadim was the ideation partner of the event.

A competition titled 'Youth Led Innovation Lab' has awarded youth-led three business plans. The competition was organized recently by Save the Children in Bangladesh with the participation of youths from Dhaka, Cox's Bazar, Moulvibazar, Sylhet and Satkhira districts.  The first, second and third winners were selected through a final competition, said a media release on Sunday. The team- ‘Coco- Shar’ won the first position for innovating the business model of producing organic manures for Urban-Agriculture with useless items of household.  A total of five teams have been awarded in the three positions. Winning the first position team Coco-Shar received Tk 2 lakh from Save the Children in Bangladesh.  The second winning team Satkhira Swapna Konnya received Tk 1 lakh while teams Ureka Group, Moulavibazar Bijwala and Sholo Ana Khati Dudh won Tk 1 lakh each winniung third position jointly. Md. Azharul Islam Khan, Director General, Department of Youth Development, joined the final selection ceremony as the chief guest. READ: Chevron partners with Save the Children to launch integrated support for children with disabilities "In all your efforts and initiatives, Department of Youth Development promises to support you. Don’t look for job; I believe you all are capable to create employment opportunities for more youths. I am overwhelmed with your ideas and innovations. I wish your success,” he said. The competition began with the announcement in and around Save the Children's project area at the five districts. The seven teams were - Ureka Group (Dhaka), Coco-Shar (Dhaka), Sylhet Learning and Earning (Sylhet), Moulavibazar Bijwala (Moulavibazar), Jagoroni Social Enterprise Hub (Moulavibazar), Satkhira Swapna Konnya (Satkhira), Sholo Ana Khati Dudh (Satkhira), Sagor Parer Hostoshilpo (Cox’s Bazar).

HSBC Bangladesh has recently been named Bangladesh's "International Retail Bank of the Year," at the Asian Banking and Finance Retail Banking Awards 2021.  The award recognised the strengths of the bank's personal banking capabilities and the commitment to offer the best international connectivity for customers. Read: Bangladesh holds hidden gems for investors: HSBC It also acknowledged the innovation, resilience and unwavering focus on customer service that had been delivered during the unprecedented challenging times. "This award is an endorsement of HSBC's continuous innovation and client-centric solutions in today's changing environment. Our global network and breadth of expertise enable us to support individuals, families, business owners, investors and entrepreneurs in Bangladesh," HSBC Bangladesh CEO Md Mahbub ur Rahman said. Read: BGMEA-HSBC teaming up to 'Export Culture of Bangladesh' "We at HSBC Bangladesh are ever grateful to our retail banking customers for putting their trust in us and inspiring us to reach new heights," Ahmed Saiful Islam, head of Wealth and Personal Banking of HSBC Bangladesh, said.

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Friday said the government is giving utmost importance to innovation and inspired the youth generation to rip its benefit.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is convening a global research and innovation forum to mobilise international action in response to the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).