Bangladesh Brand Forum organized the first-ever Chittagong Innovation Dialogue 2020 on 10th March at Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View, Chittagong which was supported by BSRM and Elite Paint. The Broad Vision of the dialogue was driving innovation and the essence of innovation across key stakeholders – Business, policymakers, academia, professionals, and youth – that collectively facilitate in shaping the future economy of Chittagong. The session was enriched by the presence of Md. Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) as the Chief Guest and Mr. A B M Azad, NDC, Divisional Commissioner Chattogram, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh as the Special Guest and many other national and local industry leaders.
Chittagong Innovation Dialogue 2020 covered the definition of innovations in Chittagong’s context, discussions on the importance of contextual innovation, identifying the disruptions due to technology now and in the future, areas of transformation and finally the launching ceremony of Chattogram Innovation Hub. The event consisted of 1 Keynote Session and 2 Panel Discussions. The panel discussions conversed about what should be the game plan for Chattogram business and about the next step to creating the future city. Mr. Manik Mahmud, Head of Social Innovation and Operation Cluster, a2i curated the entire session.
OPENING REMARKS
The event commenced with a welcoming note by Shariful Islam, Founder, Bangladesh Innovation Conclave (BIC) where he shared the perspective of Chittagong Innovation Dialogue 2020 with the attendees. In his speech, Mr. Shariful stated that the most critical challenge is the “human side of everything” and that we should focus on values, humanity and empathy. He also discussed the perception towards the transition period of the innovations and how we need to think of the future in reality.
The welcome note was followed by an opening speech by Md. Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). Mr. Sirazul focused on the fact that to become a developed country, Bangladesh has to take part in the 4th industrial revolution and that the youth has to come forward and focus on prosperity, equity, sustainability to secure a good future for the next generation.
KEYNOTE SESSION
Mahtab Uddin Ahmed on Digital Disruption
The keynote session was conducted by Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director & CEO, Robi Axiata Ltd. In this session, Mr. Mahtab discussed the opportunities and the industries created through digital disruption and how corruption can be minimized through this transformation. He also talked about the hitches that are the number of skillful people required for the newly created jobs are very inadequate and that digital innovation has risks associated with it.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
What Should Be the Game Plan for Chattogram Business?
The first panel discussion was conducted by Ashraf Bin Taj, Managing Director of International Distribution Company Bangladesh (Pvt) Ltd. and President of Marketing Society of Bangladesh as the moderator alongside the panelists Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director & CEO, Robi Axiata Ltd; Syed M Tanvir, Director, Pacific Jeans Ltd.; Dr. Moshlehuddin Chowdhury Khaled, Associate Professor & Chairman, Dept of Human Resources Management, Chittagong Independent University; Founding Director, Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development and Dr. Munal Mahbub, Senior Vice President, Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The highlight of this discussion was “A skillful generation needs to be created through collaboration with industries and academies” which reflects the significance of emphasizing technical education which can be later applied to the workforce.
Creating The Future City – Next Step
The second panel discussion was conducted by Zeeshan Kingshuk Huq, Co-founder and CEO of Sindabad.com as the moderator alongside the panelists A B M Azad, NDC, Divisional Commissioner, Chattogram, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh; Tanvir Shahriar Rimon, CEO, Ranks Fc Properties Ltd.; Mohammed Akther Parvez, Managing Director, PHP Automobiles Ltd.; Mahbubul Alam, President, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Monjurul Hoque, Founder & Owner, Barcode Café. In this session, the discussants talked about the barriers that policymaking issues are creating in the garment sector leading to workers becoming unemployed. Additionally, they stressed on the fact that the mindset of Entrepreneurs’ in Chittagong is that they are not willing to take challenges.
PARTNERS AND PATRONS
Chittagong Innovation Dialogue 2020 was an initiative of Bangladesh Innovation Conclave (BIC). The event partner of the event was Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View and was supported by BSRM and Elite Paint; Strategic Partner – Applied Business Initiatives (ABI), Cabinet Division, ICT Division UNDP, CCCI and Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Media Partner – Doinik Ajaadi.
Written by
Rawnak Tahnia
