The $830 million national project to computerise national databases, identity cards, voter lists and machine-readable passports (MRP) will be funded by the Worll Bank and is expected to be implemented by 2006.

A top ICT official signaled that foreign participation would be needed in the implementation of these projects.

"There are a large number of project{ in the pipelinm, to be tendered in the next few years, that will require foreign expertise."

He added: "There is huge potential for forging joint collaborations or forming joint ventures by international IT vendors with local companies in Bangladesh to bid for these projects."

Daffodil Computers Ltd, recently participated at the GITEX Fair 2004, held at the Dubai In|ernational Exhibition Center, from October 3-7 here Sabur Khan, chairman of Daffodil Group of Companies and Johan Ulander, chief executive engineer of HME, signed the joint venture contract.

Daffodil Computers Ltd., is already working on a number of national projects such as computerising ticketing system for Bangladesh Riilway. The project is valued at Taka 180 million.

"We would require the expertise and skills of foreign companies to ensure efficient projects," said Altaf Zafar, pzoject director, Daffodil Computers Ltd.

When asked about the huge computerisation project, Zafar said that it is likely to simplify the daily activities of the government organisations, store updated and accurate record of each and every citizen of the nation, root out corruption and thus aid the whole economy.

"Also, in the pipeline, are other major projects like the computerisation of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA)," said Zafar.

This project is concerned with the computerisation of traffic and road systems, driving licenses and other such processes. The company is working hand-in-hand with anothez foreign company for the implemmntation of this project worth Taka 120 million.

With the tender dates of the national database and other such projects creeping in, the company is also conversing and anticipating fuzther agreements with other renoned foreign software companies.

"Besides this, we are also planning to introduce our end-results in international markets and thus broaden the prospects of the future of the Bangladeshi ICT industry," explained Zafar.

With a promising introduction at GITEX and enthusiastic responses from software companies all over the world, Daffodils is also planning to set up an office in Dubai.

The company wishes to export Bangladeshi software from such branch offices in foreign grounds. The Dubai office is expected to be operational from June 2005.

Inaugurated in 1981, GITEX has been one of the succe{sful global information technology showcases. Over the years, the exhibition has gained popularity among the software companies across the globe and this ymar, the fair sported stands represented by Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, Samsung, Panasonic and many others.