Home ›› 22 Nov 2022 ›› News
Local and international experts on Monday urged the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) members to remove all obstacles to ease businesses and take measures to mitigate the impacts of various disasters triggered by the climate change.
They also focused on strengthening cooperation among the IORA members for advanced technology, regional connectivity, smart supply chain and collaboration between Industry and academia to tackle the impacts of fourth industrial revolution.
The speakers came up with the remarks at the seminar titled, “Blockchain, Technology & Innovations, Academic, Science and Technology Cooperation (ASTC), Disaster Risk Management (DRM), Tourism And Cultural Exchanges (TCE)” while celebrating the 25 years of Indian Ocean Rim Business Forum (IORBF) leadership summit in Dhaka.
The IORBF is the primary body of business representatives to formulate policies and project recommendations for IORA member states.
IORA, also an inter-governmental organisation, was established on March 7 in 1997 with 23 member countries, including Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Australia, French, Iran and Kenya.
As the chief guest of the event, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, said Bangladesh needs to improve skills on advanced technology for entrepreneurs and labours.
“There is a gap in collaboration between the IORA member countries. Now we live in global village. We need to put emphasis on the technology transformation. We need strong collaboration between industry and academia to meet all the challenges of fourth industrial revolution,” the minister added.
Speaking as the special guest, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Dr Md Enamur Rahman said, Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone country in the world.
The country witnessed furious flood in June that left a trail of destructions and posted adverse impact on the socio-economy, he said, adding that, “Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, we have to face various challenges due to disasters. We need cooperation of all stakeholders.”
Enamur said international support is prerequisite to tackle the impacts of all types of disasters. “So, the member countries should come forward for better management of climate change impacts here.”, the state minister said.
Private Industry and Investment Advisor to Prime Minister Salman F Rahman, who was also present at the summit said, “New technologies have negative and positive things and we need to take advantages from the advanced technology. So, we need cooperation of IORA nations,” he added.
Bangladesh will graduate to LDC category by 2026 and the government has taken many initiatives to support the IT sector aiming to take advantages of new technologies, he added and sought more engagement from private sectors to strengthen the activities of the business forum.
Besides, moderating the seminar, Dhaka University professor Dr Syed Ferhat Anwar urged all the member countries to come forward with strong collaboration for the sake of sustainable economic growth.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruque Hassan requested for ensuring uninterrupted energy and electricity supply for the RMG industry.
“We need a smart supply chain among the IORA nations to boost businesses. Automation and smart supply chain will help to reduce business costs. We should work together to take benefits sufficiently,” he added.
Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh, Ichiguchi Tomohide, Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh, Young-ah Doh, Founder and CEO of Technohaven, Habibullah N Karim, Ambassador at Large of the Asia and Bricks of South Africa, Anil Sooklal, Managing Director of Limit Breakers Global Foundation, Nokuthula Nokky Ndlovu and IORABF chairman, Sheikh Fazle Fahim also were present there, among others.
