Bangladesh ICT Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak to forge partnership with Cyber Wales towards a Digital Solidarity

2nd September 2022

On Friday 2^nd Sep 2022, His Excellency Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, Bangladesh State Minister for ICT Division accompanied by Her Excellency Ms Saida Muna Tasneem, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom met with Chairman of Cyber Wales in Newport, United Kingdom to advance Bangladesh-UK partnership toward Digital Solidarity. 

In furtherance to the previously signed MoU in early 2021 between the state-run Bangladesh e-Government Computer Incident Response Team (BGD e-Gov CIRT) and Cyber Wales in the United Kingdom to mark the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh, both Bangladesh State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP and Hon Col Mr John Davies MBE, Co-Founder and Chairman of Cyber Wales have shown confidence in working more closely in the near future and enable further development of Cyber Cluster, Cyber Skills Growth Working Group, Cyber Accelerator Initiatives and Cyber Incubation Centre development in Bangladesh

State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP today aspired that "the Government of Bangladesh and Cyber Wales will work more intensively together to develop a digital economy and invest in Cyber Skills and develop stronger Cyber Trade relations with Cyber Wales".

He added that "Bangladesh is going to be one of the leaders in Cyber Security and will be developing the Cyber Centre for Excellence with our International Partners like Cyber Wales. All these initiatives will ensure online security in our country". He pointed out that "it is not possible for any country to deal with cyber security alone and effective action should be taken collectively through international communication. BGD e-Government CIRT of ICT Division is working closely with Cyber Wales to ensure and implementing cyber best practices in Bangladesh".

Her Excellency Saida Muna Tasneem, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom has added, “I am delighted that Bangladesh and Wales Cyber Trade and Investment talks are advancing since the signing of the MoU between Bangladesh e-Government Computer Incident Response Team (BGD e-Gov CIRT) and Cyber Wales to mark the 50 years of Bangladesh-UK Friendship.  It's impossible for any single country alone to face the ever increasing cyber threats in digitally connected world. In this regard, we look forward to working closely with the United Kingdom, our long standing trade and development partner in creating a collective cyber security ecosystem in collaboration with Cyber Wales and other digital businesses and institutions in the UK.”

John Davies MBE, Co-Founder and Chairman of Cyber Wales, was delighted to host the talks about cyber collaboration, saying “Bangladesh already has an enviable talent pool of ICT and telecoms engineers.  Cyber Wales are proud to be able to play a small part in helping to enhance cyber capability in a nation that we have such a long standing and deep relationship with.  Welsh cyber companies, supported by our universities, are at the heart of many UK national cyber programmes and we as an ecosystem strive to share best practice and collaborate.  We are very much looking forward to working more closely on a range projects."

Board of Director, International Strategic Advisor and Middle East Cluster Manager for Cyber Wales, Faheem Azhar, commented “The relationship between Cyber Wales and the Bangladesh Cyber Community has continued to grow since Cyber Wales collaborated with the National Cyber Drill carried out by BGD e-GOV CIRT in 2020.  It has been an honour to welcome the Minister of State for ICT and the High Commissioner to Wales. The talks covered a range of topics from business, academia, law enforcement and defence exploring opportunities to collaborate in all areas.  We are already planning the return visit to Dhaka later this year."

Bangladesh ICT Division, Bangladesh High Commission to the United Kingdom and Cyber Wales would like to pay special tribute and thanks to Ms Nancy Mollett, Director of International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales, United Kingdom for hosting such a wonderful event at ICC Wales, Newport, United Kingdom

People in the picture Left to Right: Mr Jason Davies (Board of Director , Cyber Wales), HE Ms Saida Muna Tasneem (Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom), HE Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, Bangladesh State Minister for ICT Division, Hon Col Mr John Davies MBE (Co-Founder & Chairman of Cyber Wales) and Mr Faheem Azhar (Board of Director & International Strategic Advisor of Cyber Wales).