A heartiest reception would be accorded to Bill Gates, Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Microsoft Corporation, when he flies in here Monday.
This will be his first “official visit” to Bangladesh, Microsoft announced on Saturday.
Officials here said Bill might be accompanied by his wife Ms Belinda Gates on the trip, meant for expansion of his IT empire to Asia.
Science and Information Communication Technology Minister Dr Moyeen Khan will receive him at Zia International Airport.
Announcing his tour schedule Microsoft said during his half-day visit, Bill Gates would meet key officials of government and senior business leaders.
Bangladesh is Gates’ first stop in his weeklong tour of South Asia. Later, he will visit India.
Visit of Gates, the richest man of the world and a great philanthropist, is viewed very important for Bangladesh as it would give a new impetus to Bangladesh’s nascent IT industry. Microsoft has opened an office in Dhaka.
Gates would call on President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia during his brief stay.
Bangladesh has already produced a good number of bright IT professionals, including software engineers, software developers and data-entry workforce.
Gates’ visit also coincides with the Microsoft-Government Leaders Forum scheduled to take place in New Delhi from December 6 to 7. The Forum is a two-day summit themed “Leading in a Connected World”.
The summit will bring together government leaders from across the Asian region to engage in discussions, exchange of experiences and best practices related to economic development, governance and education, while examining the role that information and communication technology plays in achieving success in these areas.
Bill Gates would deliver the closing address at the summit on December 7.
Source: The New Nation
