With the slogan ‘WELCOME TO THE SMARTVERSE’ BASIS SoftExpo 2023, Country’s ever largest digital exhibition and one of the biggest exhibitions of Information and Communication technology (ICT) sector in South Asia, will be held on February 23 to 26, 2023 at Bangabandhu Bangladesh China Friendship Exhibition Center, Purbachal in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) is going to organize the 4-day mega show which is totally funded by private sector to highlight the latest technological innovations and ICT capabilities of Bangladesh to the world. The capacities of Bangladesh’s information technology sector will be highlighted through various programs in this information technology exhibition.

The Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury is expected to inaugurate the exhibition at 11am on February 23. Besides, Mustafa Jabbar, Minister for Posts and Telecommunications of Bangladesh, State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, are scheduled to attend as special guests.

BASIS President Russell T. Ahmed said, the exposition in the IT sector being held is the unprecedented in the country’s history as such large-scale show was never held in the country in the past. The main objective of organizing the mega event is to highlight the capabilities of local IT sector.

The vision of Digital Bangladesh has been realized due mainly to pioneering role played by our IT sector. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina aims to transform the country from digital to ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041. In this regard, BASIS, that is to say, the private sector can play a significant role for implementing the vision of Smart Bangladesh. Continued efforts of local IT companies contributed to the realization of the dream of Digital Bangladesh, he added.

We have started the journey by just giving introduction on computer. Since 2003, we started the Softexpo, which has turned into a the country’s largest digital technology show now, he said. BASIS has been holding bilateral meetings and making different business agreements to accelerate business in various countries of the world. Like the previous years, B2B Matchmaking will be held between Bangladeshi companies and foreign companies in the fair this year. We hope that through this event foreign investors will be encouraged to invest more in our IT sector. As a result, we will go ahead several steps towards achieving the government’s target of US$ 5 billion export earnings by 2025”, said the BASIS President.

Abu Daud Khan, Convener of BASIS SoftExpo 2023 and Vice President (Admin) of BASIS, said the world is now at the threshold of 4th Industrial Revolution. Bangladesh also needs to go ahead by keeping pace with latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and Metaverse.

In keeping consistency with the matter, the slogan of the fair this year has been selected as “Welcome to the Smartverse”. In the fair, different programs will be held to take new initiatives along with expanding business. Over 800 high officials of corporate institutions are expected to attend at Business Leaders Meet program.

Besides, grand inaugural and closing ceremonies, there will be some special programs such as Ministerial conference, Ambassadors’ Night with the participation of Ambassadors and representatives of different countries, to be attended by ministers, IT Job Fair and Career Camp for giving info on job in the IT sector, B2B Matchmaking session, Freelancing Conference, Startup Conference, Developers’ Conference, Women in IT program and Japan Day. Besides, atleast 18 seminars and technology sessions will be held with the participation of high officials of public and private sector.

The organizers of BASIS SoftExpo 2023 said that special campaigns have alreday been held at 50 universities of the country. There will be arranagement of special shuttle bus service for facilitating the visitors so that that they can easily visit the venue. Besides, there will be every concert, gaming corner, buiness lounge and food court.

In this fair, display of robot is one of the most attractions for the visitors where a total of five university’s student including University of Dhaka, Brac University and Comilla University will display their robots.

Over three lakh people including public and private policy makers, about 200 national and international speakers, high officials of public and private institutions, IT experts, IT businessmen of different countries, foreign delegates, IT users from home and abroad, and the interested youths are to attend and throng the fair venue.

IFIC Bank Limited will be platinum sponsor of the Softexpo, while Huawei will be gold sponsor, and Robi, Pathao and Fiber@Home Limited as silver sponsor. In addition, GrameenPhone will be 5G partner. bKash will be payment partner, Aamra Networks Limited as internet partner, and Daraz, bdjobs.com and eCourier as associate partners in the show to be held with sponsorship support of ICT Business Promotion Council (IBPC).

The exhibition will run from 10am to 8pm daily. Those interested to visit the fair are requested to visit the official website of softexpo (https://softexpo.com.bd/) for free registration.

Information about the SoftExpo

204 stalls/pavilion of IT institutions from home and abroad.

Participation of over 200 ICT experts from home and abroad.

18 seminars on ICT

Country’s largest ICT Career Camp with the involvement of over 2000 students.

Display of innovative project with the participation of students of over 50 universities.

Robotics show.

Bangladesh’s largest Outsourcing Conference.

Ambassadors’ Night, Ministerial Conference, Women in IT program.

Startup Conference, Developers’ Conference and Japan Day.

Gaming Corner, Business Lounge, Food Court and Media Corner.

B2B Matchmaking Session of foreign and local businessmen for expanding business.

Special Shuttle Bus Service for facilitating movement of visitors.
Concert everyday.