Development of conducive business environment for private sector investors following public procurement rules using World Bank fund in the ‘Support to Development of Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park/IT Parks Project’

Abstract

The Government has declared ‘Vision 2021’ with a target to make Bangladesh as a middleincome country using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and development of favourable business environment for innovative companies. ICT has been considered as a thrust sector. Government has taken various initiatives to achieve the target. Among them conducive business environment in Hi-Tech Parks (HTPs) is mentionable. So, HTPs, Information Technology (IT) Village, Software Technology Park (STP) will play an important role and contribute for the development of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) is to make provision for the establishment and expansion of Hi-Tech industry for the creation of employment opportunity in country.

Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) is implementing 08 projects and among them “Support to Development of Kaliakoir Hi-Tech (and others Hi-Tech Park) Project (SDKHTP)” is one of the important initiatives to create an investment ecosystem in Bangladesh. The SDKHTP project is financed by the World Bank and DFID through the Private Sector Development Support Project (PSDSP). Initially the project aimed to develop off-site infrastructure in Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City, Kaliakoir but afterward the scope was extended to Sheikh Hasina Software Technology Park, Jashore; Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujeeb Hi-Tech Park, Rajshahi; Sylhet, and Khulna University of Engineering & Technology. This Park (SDKHTP) developed for investors having 355 acres of land with natural settings is in an ideal and ready place for investment. It is located near Dhaka city and connected with all over the country through road, rail and international airport. The 232 acres of land Area of Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City has been divided into 5 blocks as per the master plan. Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority has already appointed developers for the development of Bangabandhu Hi-tech City as per the PPP model and onsite infrastructure development is going on in full swing. The park will be considered as a specialized zone to attract investors especially foreign investors where they could utilize the vast potential of young educated and technically skilled workforce. Eventually, the country’s economy will substantially grow with more foreign exchange earnings. This paper analyse the development of a conducive business environment for private sector investors following public procurement rules using World Bank funds to the Support to development of the Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park/IT Parks Project.