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AI skills crucial for Bangladesh’s small businesses
Published : Sunday, 20 September, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Press Release
Bangladesh needs faster AI adoption among small businesses to help them compete globally, speakers said at a discussion in Dhaka.
The views were shared at ‘Agami: Bangladesh AI Innovation Day’, jointly organised by Meta and LightCastle Partners and held recently at a hotel in Banani.
The event brought together representatives from the government, industry, diplomatic community and entrepreneurship sector to discuss AI and digital tools for business growth.
ICT Adviser to the Prime Minister Rehan Asif Asad said the government did not want to intervene in the expansion of small businesses in an AI-driven economy.
He said the government was focused on creating an environment where local entrepreneurs could expand their businesses through Meta’s platforms.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen said Meta’s Small Business Growth Academy would boost AI adoption and technology skills among small business owners.
Tehara Punchihewa, public policy manager for APAC at Meta, shared findings from the Bangladesh edition of Deloitte’s ‘AI for Business: APAC Trends in AI Platform Adoption’, commissioned by Meta.
The report indicates that most small and medium-sized businesses across Asia-Pacific already use at least one AI tool, while many see AI as helping them compete with larger businesses.
Taabeer Ather, economic impact regional lead for Asia-Pacific at Meta, said AI-enabled tools could help small businesses compete more effectively, but training was also needed.
He said Meta, in partnership with LightCastle Partners, aimed to train more than 1,000 small and medium-sized businesses in Bangladesh.
Fahim Ahmed, CEO of Pathao, said Facebook played a significant role in Bangladesh’s digital commerce and stressed the importance of helping entrepreneurs use AI while maintaining their unique identity.
Meta also announced local payment options through bKash, making it easier for businesses in Bangladesh to pay for advertising on its platforms.
The Small Business Growth Academy is being implemented in Bangladesh through a partnership between Meta and LightCastle Partners. The programme is being rolled out across 12 Asia-Pacific countries and aims to support more than 10,000 small businesses by strengthening their digital and technology skills.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
