'Use Internet to become global village member'

He said every new innovation brings both positive and negative effects for the society, Internet is also not any exception to it.

The president was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Cyber Fair 2006 at Bhasani Novo Theatre in the city yesterday.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology, Cyber Café Owners' Association of Bangladesh (CCOAB) is organising the five-day fair of cyber services for the first time in the country.

The president said the use of information technology is very important to be connected globally, but its misuse is not acceptable.

He asked the ministry concerned and civil society to take adequate steps in tackling the valueless use of Internet.

"If all concerned work together, our young generation can innovate more new ICT products by utilising Internet as well as computer technology," he added.

The president urged the owners of cyber cafés to take proper initiative in protecting the younger generation from distasteful use of Internet.

They must be concerned to prevent misuse of this invaluable technology, he added.

Speaking as special guest, Science and ICT Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said no nation can move forward without information technology in the present global scenario.

"We are planing to launch e-governance to build up a close relation between general people and the government," he added.

Quoting an EU (European Union) survey, the minister said Bangladesh at present is one of the top ICT software developer country.

"Our position will be further improved as we are going to be connected with submarine cable network next month," he added.

At present, some 500 cyber cafés are in operation, but people have no idea about the café culture and the services they offer, said Md Sabur Khan, chief executive officer of Daffodil Group and chairman of the fair committee.

"We are planing to focus on telecommunications, community computing, science and technology, public health and administration so that the visitors can know about cyber facilities," he added.

Secretary to Ministry of Science and ICT Mian Mushtaque Ahmed, Chairman of Privatisation Commission Inam Ahmed Chowdhury and Ashfaquddin Mamun, general secretary of CCOAB and chief co-ordinator of the fair organising committee, also spoke at the inaugural session.

CCOAB President Md Zahirul Hossain, Basis President Sarwar Alam and President of Bangladesh Computer Society Dr Aminul Haq were present on the occasion.

Bangladesh Computer Samity, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (Basis), Internet Service Provider Association of Bangladesh (ISPB) and Bangladesh Computer Society are the co-organisers of the fair.

Eastern Bank Ltd is the co-sponsor of the fair while Skybd, a internet service provider is the official ISP. The Daily Star, the Jugantor and Channel-i are the media partner of the fair while Pepsi Bangladesh is the official drinks.

A total of 58 local organisations comprising web developers, job portals, BPO companies, mobile content developers, mobile operators, ICT education institutions, application developers, business portals, internet service providers, ICT consultants, software and hardware companies are showcasing their products at 50 stalls and 10 pavilions in the fair.

Organisers said they have also arranged some events for the visitors.

These include a free-access Internet browsing zone, a game zone and Internet application zone to provide different Internet facilities to the visitors.

Besides, seminars on latest technologies such as fibre optic and Wifi technology will be conducted on the sidelines of the fair, they added.

The fair will remain open from 10:00am to 9:00pm daily.

The entry fee has been fixed at Tk 10.