The Telephone Shilpa Sangstha (TSS) in Tongi is set to be transformed into a high-tech park. Relevant authorities have approved this initiative. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, shared the news on his verified Facebook profile today (April 1). He mentioned that the Telecom and ICT Secretaries are helping with this transformation process.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb explained that TSS, established in 1963 with the help of German tech company Siemens, once played a significant role in the country’s technology sector. However, it now faces various challenges. Efforts to revive the company through the Doel laptop project have not been successful. Most parts of the Doel laptops were manufactured in Malaysia and only assembled in Bangladesh, which prevented the project from yielding the desired results. Additionally, although the company had the capacity to produce landline phones, it failed to reach the stage of manufacturing button or feature phones.

He also mentioned that there have been allegations that MP Russell, the former Member of Parliament nominated by the Awami League and the son of Ahsanullah Master from Gazipur, has occupied land in the industrial area and built a stadium there. This land, which was designated for industrial use, is now being used for other purposes, making it even harder for TSS to survive.

Looking ahead, he pointed out that almost all types of mobile phone accessories, including Wi-Fi routers, boosters, chargers, and even basic USB and power cables, are currently imported into Bangladesh. This has limited local job opportunities. Discussions have already been held with the Director General of TSS to address this issue.

Regarding the current initiative, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said that rather than a high-tech park, what is needed now is to develop TSS into an effective mid-tech or low-tech institution.

He also mentioned that the Chief Adviser has encouraged bringing various manufacturing plants from China to Bangladesh. Efforts are underway to explore how TSS’s existing infrastructure can be integrated into this initiative.

If this effort succeeds, Faiz Taiyeb believes it could mark a new beginning for Bangladesh’s technology manufacturing sector.