First Meeting of the Steering Committee

on the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway

(AP-IS)

01-02 November 2017

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Delegate Handbook

ICT Division Department of ICT তথ্য ও য োগোয োগ প্র কু্তি ক্তিভোগ তথ্য ও য োগোয োগ প্র কু্তি অক্তিদপ্তর

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh

www.ictd.gov.bd

CONTENTS

1. Introduction 1

2. About Bangladesh 1-3

3. Top Management of ICT Division, Bangladesh 4

4. Meeting Date & Venue 5

5. Local Secretariat Contact Persons 5

6. Accommodations & Meals 6

7. Internet Access 6

8. Transportation 6

9. Dress Code 6

10. General Information 6-11

a. Weather 6

b. Currency & Banking 6

c. Electricity 6

d. Local Time 7

e. Mobile operator 7

f. Tourist Attraction 7-8

g. Shopping 9

h. Tipping 10

i. Socialization 10

j. Bangladesh Tourist Map 11

1. Introduction:

Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) & Department of Information and

Communication Technology (DoICT), Bangladesh Government welcomes all delegates to the First

Meeting of the Steering Committee on the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (AP-IS).

Delegates Handbook provides general information on administrative & logistical arrangements as well

as other relevant information. Questions or requests for further quarries would be addressed by the

local Secretariat.

2. About Bangladesh:

Bangladesh is located in the north-eastern part of South Asia. The majestic Himalayas stand some

distance to the north, while in the south lays the Bay of Bengal. West Bengal borders on the west and

in the east, lies the hilly and forested region of Tripura, Mizoram (India) and Myanmar. These

picturesque geographical boundaries frame a low lying plain of about 1,47,570 square kilometers,

criss-crossed by innumerable rivers and streams. Mighty rivers of fluvial Bangladesh are Padma

(Ganges), Brahmaputra (Jamuna), Meghna and Karnafuli.

Bangladesh offers many tourist attractions, including archaeological sites, historical mosques and

monuments, longest natural beach in the world, picturesque landscape, hill forests and wildlife,

rolling tea gardens and tribes. The rich flora and fauna and colorful tribal life is very enchanting.

Each part of the country offers distinctly different topography, flavors and delicacies. It is home to

the Royal Bengal Tiger, freshwater pink dolphins, historical temples made of red earth.

Bangladesh-Fast Facts

Official Name: The People's Republic of Bangladesh

Nationality: Bangalees as a nation and Bangladeshi as citizen.

Weekends: Friday & Saturday,

some govt and non-govt offices remain open on Saturdays.

International Dialing Code: +880

Standard Time: BST (GMT +6 Hours)

Female Literacy Rate: 61.5%

Life Expectancy: 71.7 years

Economic Data GDP growth rate: 7.24%

Per capita income: 1602 USD

Geography

Area: 147,570 sq. km. (land: 133,910 sq km, water: 10,090 sq

km)

Source: www.bangladesh.gov.bd

Source: www.bbs.gov.bd

Administrative Units: 8 Divisions: Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet,

Rajshahi, Barisal, Rangpur, Mymensingh,

64 Districts, 491 Subdistricts/Upazillas Capital City:

Dhaka

Demography Population: 16.17crores

Literacy Rate:71%

Language:

Bangla (national language) spoken by 95%

English is widely understood and spoken.

ICT Related information:

Terrestrial Internet User: 62.248 Million

Mobile Internet User: 68.85 Million

Mobile Phone User: 135.982 Million

( Source : BTRC, Updated )

Pag

e1

National Flag of Bangladesh:

National Emblem of Bangladesh: Government logo of Bangladesh:

National Web Portal: Map of Bangladesh

Pag

e 2

Father of the Nation

BANGABANDHU SHEIKH MUJIBUR RAHMAN

Honourable President of Bangladesh

MR MD ABDUL HAMID

Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh

SHEIKH HASINA

Pag

e3

3. Top Management of

Information and Communication Technology Division

Mr. Sajeeb Wazed Honourable ICT Affairs Adviser to Prime

Minister

Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP

Honourable State Minister

Email: palak@ictd.gov.bd

Phone # +88-02-8181115 (Off)

Mobile # +88-01711061051

Mr. Subir Kishore Choudhury Secretary

Email: skc_1962@ictd.gov.bd

Phone # +88-02-8181547 (Off)

Mr. Banamali Bhowmick Director General

Department of ICT

banamalibhowmick@doict.gov.bd

Phone # +880 2 8181100

Pag

e4

4. Meeting Date & Venue: Preparatory meeting 31st October, Surma hall, the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel Time: 13:30-18:00

The meeting will be held on 01-02 November 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The venue is: Day-1 (01 November 2017, Grand Ballroom, the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka) Time: 08:30 -17:15

Day-2 (02 November 2017, Surma hall, Balcony hall the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel) Time: 09:00 -17:45

Hotel Address

The Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel 107, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh Tel: +880 2 9128008

Contact Person 1:

Event Manager Mr. Yasin Hasan

Assistant Catering Manager

The Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel,Dhaka. Mobile No: 01730014177 Email: yhasan@panpacific.com

Contact Person 2:

Rooms Manager

Sk. Sadequr Rahman Senior Sales Manager Mobile No: 01730014178

The Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka.

5. Local Secretariat Contact Persons-DoICT:

Contact Person 1 Contact Person 2 Contact Person 3

Mr. Mohammad Abul Hashem

Deputy Director

AP-IS Focal Point, Department

of ICT. Mobile: +8801716223442

Telephone: +880 2 55006809

Fax: +880 2 8181102

email:hashem6704@gmail.com

Mr. Mustain Billah

(Deputy Secretary)

Deputy Director(Administration)

Department of ICT Mobile: +88-01752039572

Telephone: +880 2 8181265

Fax: +880 2 8181102

email:mustain15166@gmail.com

Mr. Mohammad Naeem Hasan

Assistant Programmer and Desk

Officer, AP-IS, Department of ICT.

Mobile: +880 1558 749990

Telephone: +880 2 9117242

Fax: +880 2 8181099

email: naeemiit08@gmail.com

At ICT Division

Ms. Mahbooba Panna

Deputy Secretary (International Affairs Section)

ICT Division.

Mobile: +88-01556329193

Telephone: +88-02-8181056(Off)

email: mahbooba@ictd.gov.bd

6. Accommodation & Meals: ESCAP in collaboration with local secretariat will contact you with details of your booked hotel

accommodation at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.

The room rates for the purpose of this meeting are as follows:

Pag

e5

Hotel Room Type Special Rate (USD)

The Pan Pacific Sonargaon

Hotel

Deluxe Single Bed $195.00

Deluxe Twin Bed $220.00

Room rates include applicable taxes and charges with complimentary breakfast. In addition,

Bangladesh will arrange and bear the costs of all meals (dinner, lunch, coffee-tea breaks) from

31st October (welcome dinner) up to the closing ceremony on 2nd November. Any meals beyond

the 2nd of November must be settled by Delegates.

7. Internet Access: Wireless internet access will be available at the meeting areas and guest rooms.

8. Airport Pick-up, Drop-off transportation: Bangladesh will arrange Airport pick-up and drop off from the hotel to the Airport at the end of

the meeting. Any other transportation requirements will have to be paid by Delegates. Hotel

authority will assist with arrangement of transportation facility upon payment.

9. Dress Code: Dress code for the meeting will be official and cultural event will be casual or traditional

cultural event.

10. General Information: a. Weather:

The climate usually is usually dry in November in Dhaka; it does not rain often. A cool, dry

winter. The high seasonal norm is 28°C on average. Thus, the mean temperature average is

23°C.

b. Currency and Banking:

Bangladesh’s official currency is Taka (BDT). It has a floating exchange rate, which means

its value goes up and down depending on market forces. Local money exchange shops are

active till 9.00-20.00hr. Shops are available very near to the hotels.

The exchange rate as far 23 August 2017 is USD1 = BDT 81.16

The normal banking hour in Bangladesh is10.00-16.00 hr on Sunday-Thursday. VISA,

MasterCard and AmEx are accepted at many shopping centres, hotels, restaurants and other

tourist spots. However, you should always carry some cash with you just in case of need.

c. Electricity:

The standard electricity supply in Bangladesh is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Delegates are advised to bring along converters or adaptor for compatibility with the as shown below.

d. Local Time:

The Local Time in Bangladesh is GMT+6 hours

e. Mobile Operator:

There are couple of mobile service operator in Bangladesh like Grameenphone, Banglalink, Airtel, Robi, Teletalk etc. They are currently providing GSM/WCDMA Services. Delegates are advised to contact with their local operator for international roaming service.

f. Tourists Attractions:

Bangladesh has many islands and a coral reef. The longest sea beach, Cox's Bazar Beach is located here. It is home to the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. The country's biodiversity includes a vast array of plant and wildlife, including critically endangered Bengal tigers, the national animal.

Delegates may visit nearby tourist place inside Dhaka like Bangabandhu Museum, Bangabandhu Novo

Theatre, National Parliament Building, Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manjil, Shaheed Minar, National

Memorial etc. Delegates may contact the local Secretariat for arranging the visit totourist places.

(http://www.tourismboard.gov.bd/),(http://www.bangladeshtouristsm.com),(http://tourtobangladesh.com

(parjatan.portal,gov.bd)

Some important Tourist Attraction as

National Parliament, Dhaka. National Monument At Savar, Dhaka

Shahid Minar, Dhaka Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Dhaka

Pag

e7

Bangabavan, Dhaka Baitul Makarram national Mosque,Dhaka

Ahsan Manjil, Dhaka Novo Theatre, Dhaka

Cox’s Bazar,

The longest unbroken Sea Beach in the World Sunderban Mangrove Forest,

Largest Mangrove Forest in the World.

Pag

e8

Tea Garden at Sylhet, Bangladesh Somapura Mahavihara, Dhaka

g. Shopping: Bangladeshi shopping malls are not fixed prices. Mostly shopping is done

through bargaining. Jamuna Future Park, Bashundhara City, Mouchak Market, New Market,

Banga Bazar, Dhaka etc. Bangladesh has some of the largest shopping malls in South Asia.

Jamuna Future park, largest Shopping Mall of Bangladesh, Dhaka

Distance from Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel is 13.7 km.

Web: www.jamunafuturepark.com

Bashundhara Shopping Mall, Dhaka

Distance from Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel is 500 meter.

Pag

e9

Web: www.bashundhara-city.com

Aarong Shopping mall, Dhaka

Distance from Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel is 2.1 km.

Web: www.aarong.com

h. Tipping: Unlike most countries, the tipping system works rather differently in Bangladesh. Most people do not

expect tips. Sometimes however, waiters and waitresses at restaurants may be tipped. This however is

very unexpected and is considered as an ostentatious display of gratitude. People are amiable, friendly

and extend their helping hands even if you don't expect. If you have a keen eye then definitely you will

find Bangladeshi version of Etiquette and Manner.

i. Socialization:

S.L In Bangali

In English

1. Assalamu Alykum

(This is a greeting when you meet

someone)

Peace be upon you

2. Apni keemon achen?

How are you?

3. Ami valo achi

I am well

4. Shuvo shokal

Good Morning

5. Dhonnobad!

Thank you!

6. Etar dam koto?

How much is this?

P

age1

0

Pag

e11