Staff Correspondent

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Planning Prof Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir emphasized strengthening Bangladesh's economy through innovative thinking, technological growth, and export diversification to maintain global competitiveness.

He made the remarks as chief guest at the closing and award ceremony of the "Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026," organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology at the Novo Theatre in Dhaka on Monday.

Outlining a three-stage national economic roadmap—rapid recovery, institutional restoration, and sustainable reconstruction—Dr. Titumir stated that navigating post-Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation challenges by 2029 requires boosting productivity and diversifying beyond single-product export dependency.

Highlighting Bangladesh's positioning on the Global Innovation Index, the Adviser underscored continuous research, scientific revival, and technology integration as essential drivers for progress. Assuring state support for researchers, he urged stakeholders to submit proposals for a transparent "Research and Innovation Fund," adding that the government would consider tax incentives for private sector contributions to the fund. 

Presiding over the ceremony, Science and Technology Ministry Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain reaffirmed the government's commitment to holding the Innovation Fair annually to nurture young talent and bridge academia with commercial markets.

He disclosed that the three-day event featured 20 academic, media, and policy sessions alongside over 100 stalls from 73 universities.

The jury panel selected the top ten innovations, awarding each a prize of Tk 1 lakh. The winning projects included Homepital Nexus, Smart Wheelchair, Firefly, Voice Assist Device, BD Cyber Helpline, Water Repellent Jute Fabric, Natural Fiber PCB, Antenna for Nanosat, Liquid Tree, and Self Contactor.

Additionally, five institutions—Gazi Agriculture University, Jessore University of Science and Technology, BUBT, Khulna University, and AIUB—received special recognition for outstanding participation. Senior officials, scientists, entrepreneurs, and students attended the closing ceremony.