Expatriate Bangladeshi 2000

Linking Individuals, Regions, Ideas, and Actions

List of Press Release

• November 8, 1999: Professor Yunus Joins EB2000 in a Brain Storming Session to Discuss the Future of IT in Bangladesh 

• September 7, 1999: Announcing the Formation and Launching of EB2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Professor Yunus Joins EB2000 in a Brain Storming Session to Discuss the Future of IT in Bangladesh 

Dr. Nuim Chowdhury presents first thoughts on a technology roadmap

November 8, 1999, Washington, DC -- EB2000 is extremely pleased to have arranged a brainstorming session between a group of it's members (non-resident Bangladeshi information and communication technology experts, professionals and entrepreneurs) and Prof. Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, to discuss the future of the Communication and Information Technology Infrastructure in Bangladesh. Held at Washington, DC premise of the World Bank, the session was also attended by notable Economists from the World Bank Group.

Dr. Ahmed Ahsan of the World Bank chaired the meeting, which began with the presentation of a paper titled "Bangladesh's Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure: First Thoughts on a Road-map" by Dr. Nuim Chowdhury, senior fellow, Grameen Communications. Dr. Chowdhury's presentation was followed by a talk from Prof. Yunus and an open discussion on the future prospects of information technology in Bangladesh.

Dr. Nuim Chowdhury, in his presentation, after emphasizing the premise of the global setting in which the issues of a roadmap needed to be examined, elaborated on the various stakes involved. He discussed the menu of technology options in detail and the role that telecommunications regulators have to play if Bangladesh has to "fast forward" into the era of information technology.

Prof. Yunus reemphasized the critical elements from his recently delivered Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Memorial Lecture titled "Bangladesh 2010", where he laid out a vision for rethinking our economic and social future as a member of a global information economy. Drawing from the overwhelming success of Grameen phone, Professor Yunus discussed the regulatory and infrastructural constraints, which, if overcome could greatly accelerate the rate of poverty alleviation by bringing the information revolution into the villages of Bangladesh. He argued that: "We should change the setting by changing the questions involved. We need to believe that by 2010 it is indeed possible for a country like Bangladesh to secure a sizeable portion of the projected US$ 180 billion global market for information technology related services. Only then could we master the knowledge, insights and resources that is necessary to bring about a fundamental change in the lives of our people."

In the brain storming session, the non-resident experts, professionals and entrepreneurs commented on the technological options and suggested various alternatives to optimize the current system. They also cited the examples and experiences in regulatory reform by other developing countries that could be useful for Bangladesh. Overall, those present lent their unqualified support for doing their part in placing Bangladesh in the global IT map by providing their knowledge, resources and voice to facilitate the necessary changes. Professor Yunus concluded by emphasizing the need for the non-residents to utilize the diverse firsthand knowledge available to them to help to bring awareness to the policymakers about the technological needs, options, opportunities and the urgency of regulation reform in the telecommunication sector in Bangladesh.

EB2000 extends thanks and gratitude to Prof. Muhammad Yunus for joining the non-resident community in a dialogue to discuss the future of the Communication and Information Technology in Bangladesh. We invite all non-resident Bangladeshis, located in different parts of the world, to join hands in developing a technological, economic, social, financial and regulatory blue-print for the information technology sector so that Bangladesh can be on it's way to become a developed country by the year 2010.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Announcing the Formation and Launching of EB2000

EB2000 Introduces itself to the Bangladeshi Media

September 7, 1999 -- We are pleased to announce the formation and launching of EB2000 Inc, a strategic network organized by Expatriate Bangladeshis. The main objective of EB2000 is to help organize non-resident Bangladeshis within a common platform and to make collective efforts to help Bangladesh in its development process.

In an era of Information Technology, EB2000 is the result of initiatives taken by Bangladeshi expatriates in conjunction with Global Amitech, an Internet based news agency, with active help and support from other Bangladeshi networks and organizations such as the Bangladesh Environmental Network, ALOCHONA Bangladeshi forum, Virtual Bangladesh, Cyber Bangladesh, TechBangla, Learn Foundation and the Association for Economic Development Studies on Bangladesh. The motivation for the initiative originated with a recognition of the need to reverse the losses in human capital by creating a coherent channel for the genuine desire of many expatriates to offer various kinds of help for the prosperity of their ancestral land. 

EB2000 is incorporated in Virginia, USA as a non-profit organization. The organization is bound by its constitution to maintain the principle of neutrality with regards to religion, ethnicity and political persuasions. Efforts are underway in establishing various chapters and affiliates around the globe. The organization maintains a dynamic Internet website at www.eb2000.org. This website offers electronic self-registration facilities for interested Bangladeshi expatriates willing to join the network. It hosts several interactive discussion forums on issues relating to development, lists project ideas proposed by its members, and provides information about the organization and its strategic partners.

We are encouraged by the enthusiastic responses and support from Bangladeshi expatriates around the globe that our efforts is well timed to take advantage of the revolutions in the area of information technology and destined to bring rich rewards for Bangladesh and its people.

We hope for support and cooperation from all governmental, non-governmental and private organizations so that our timely undertaking can realize its due potential.

Sincerely,

For More Information Contact:

Expatriate Bangladeshi 2000, Inc.
PO Box 833, Annandale, VA 22003-0833, USA
Tel: 877-376-9590
FAX: 877-376-9590
Internet: info@eb2000.org

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