Dhaka: A delegation from Bangladesh, led by Science and Technology Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain, engaged in a bilateral discussion with an Omani delegation led by Said Abdul Ghafoor Saif Udeen, CEO of Star Drones, Innovation Park Muscat, Seeb, Oman, as well as leaders from the Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting, held at the Secretariat, centered on advancing cooperation in technology, innovation, and joint research, as stated in an official handout.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the primary focus of the discussion was to identify potential areas for collaboration between Bangladesh and Oman in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), drone technology, agricultural technology, startup funding, food security, and innovation. The Omani representatives outlined their initiatives in science, drone technology, and AI, highlighting a startup investment fund for early-stage innovations. They also discussed Oman's development of a Large Language Model (LLM) with a focus on data security.
The meeting emphasized the importance of Muslim-majority countries developing their technology infrastructure and data centers to ensure secure data storage. Md. Anwar Hossain underscored Bangladesh's young and skilled workforce, particularly in ICT and engineering, and detailed government initiatives in semiconductor design and robotics. He emphasized the need for expertise sharing in semiconductor chip design and youth training.
The Omani delegation shared their experience with drone technology for pesticide application across vast agricultural areas, suggesting that Bangladesh could harness this technology in agriculture, disaster management, and fire safety. The meeting explored joint research opportunities in developing salt-tolerant rice varieties and specialized rice for diabetic patients. Collaborative research on food processing technologies, aimed at extending the shelf life of fruits like jackfruit and pineapple for export, was also proposed.
Dr. Samina Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), mentioned BCSIR's development of vitamin- and mineral-enriched nutritious food products to combat child malnutrition, potentially beneficial for Africa and Oman. The Omani delegation highlighted their research on the Red Palm Weevil, a pest affecting date palms, and proposed joint research into its medicinal properties. Bangladesh responded by considering the necessary legal framework and policies to facilitate such research.
The meeting invited researchers, startup entrepreneurs, and policymakers from both countries to visit each other's science parks and research facilities to enhance collaboration. The Bangladesh delegation extended an invitation to the Omani delegation for the National Innovation Fair in Bangladesh this September. Both sides agreed to appoint designated focal points to maintain communication and coordinate the implementation of discussed initiatives.
Additional attendees included Muhammad Ashraf Ali Faruk and Dr. Syeda Naushin Parnini, Additional Secretaries of the ministry; Bassim Allah Bakhsh Ghulam Al-Zadjali, Chief Technology Officer of Star Drones, Innovation Park Muscat, Seeb, Oman; Dr. M. Moinul Islam, Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (routine charge); and Ashraful Haque Chowdhury, President of the Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.