SBBC and its members Hifab International AB, Centiglobe AB, Strativ AB and Bangladesh Business AB visited BASIS SoftExpo 6th–9th February 2020 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A Swedish initiative to open up the IT-sector and overall IT-relations between the Sweden and Bangladesh.

The purpose of this delegation in brief is to be on-site at the expo and to learn and explore the IT-sector in BD, and also to meet companies that are interested in meeting us. Through this experience we, as a representation of Swedish companies, will bring back the knowledge we gain and to further develop the business relations between Sweden and Bangladesh.

Activities commenced with visiting three-day expo and ended with B2B-matchmaking meetings. The expo presents an ample opportunity to represent Swedish companies and industry and convincing our Bangladeshi counterparts to invest and grow in our part of the world.

On the final day, Mr Rashad Kabir was the keynote speaker in the afternoon session about Road to journey of 5 billion USD Export. This initiative is one of the important activities and focus area by the Bangladesh Government.  

The potential for the Swedish IT sector to develop business relations with Bangladeshi IT companies is infinite. Bangladesh is an emerging economy with its 170 million people and strong economic progress for the last decade. The country has embarked on a mission to transition into a “Digital Bangladesh” by 2021 and each year Bangladesh continues to make strides in its digital development. The SoftExpo 2020 was the biggest one yet.

The delegation was also invited to a Meet and Greet reception at the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka, who hosted, among many Swedish/Bangladeshi companies, Mr Md Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). Mr Tareq Rahman, President NCCI Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry highlighted the work of the chamber in promoting and the roles Nordic businesses in the local economy.

Mr Tareq Rahman, NCCI also hosted a dinner at Gulsham Club to discuss bilateral trade issues. Mizanur Khan, the president of SBBC highlighted the growing interest of Swedish companies wanting to enter the Bangladesh market, while Tareq Rahman, President NCCI assured promotion and cooperation for Nordic businesses through the chamber. Imtiaz Ilahi, past President of NCCI was also present at the reception.

Part of the delegates has also visited the factory of Sustainably Yours in Dhaka, where the Chairman Jan Sandlund and Imrul Ahmed Tulin, Managing Director told us about the Cow funding project. Sustainably Yours is a member of SBBC and making leather bags in Bangladesh.

SBBC wants to sincerely thank all team members for their active participation and contributions during the expo and surrounding activities. SBBC looks forward to further developing our business relations with Bangladeshi companies and doing business with our members and our network.