Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday urged leading Malaysian telecom firm Axiata to roll out 5G services in Bangladesh and invest in the country's data centres, CA Press Wing wrote in a Facebook post.
Yunus stated that Bangladesh needs high-speed internet for its growing economy and to attract investment from global companies eager to tap into its digital economy.
The chief adviser said the interim government is streamlining licensing regimes to create a more business-friendly environment for top telecommunications operators.
Group CEO of Axiata Vivek Sood, parent company of cellular operator Robi, said, "The company had conducted a 5G trial in Bangladesh but noted that the expansion of the country's fibre optic network is essential for full 5G deployment."
"Robi has invested around $200 million annually in Bangladesh in recent years and remains open to investing in 5G services," he said, citing the costly spectrum fees and a fragmented licensing regime as factors weighing on foreign operators' investment decisions.
He also added that Axiata is interested in joint venture partnerships for data centres in Bangladesh.
Yunus called for stronger collaboration between the private sector and regulators, the post added.
'Bangladesh is trying to become business-friendly in every possible way...I found an unlimited prospect in changing Bangladesh'
"The most important thing is to come closer and understand each other," he said.
The Axiata team was led by Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, chairman and independent non-executive director of the Axiata Group.
Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, Chief Adviser's Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun and Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed were also present on the occasion.
The meeting was also attended by Foong Chee Keong, Axiata Group's chief regulatory and government affairs officer, and Thomas Hundt, the Group's chief business and technology officer.
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