Reza Mahmud :
Industrialist Sakif Shamim, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s business landscape and a pioneer in the healthcare sector, has strongly advocated for the expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the country’s trade and commerce.
In an exclusive interview with The New Nation, Sakif Shamim, Managing Director of Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Specialty Center shared his insights on how AI is revolutionizing business operations and has the potential to become a driving force behind the next phase of economic growth in Bangladesh.
Expressing his desire to run as a Vice President candidate in the upcoming FBCCI election, Shamim outlined his commitment to fostering entrepreneurship through technological advancement. “If elected by the votes of the respected GB members, I will prioritize developing a robust training infrastructure focused on AI, digital transformation, and business automation,” he affirmed.
Sakif Shamim, has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. Under his leadership, the hospital has not only ensured top-tier healthcare services but also earned the prestigious international LEED Gold certification, a testament to its global-standard compliance in healthcare infrastructure.
In recent years, Shamim has turned his attention to the transformative potential of AI. “Artificial Intelligence is already reshaping industries across the world by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and productivity,” he said. “If Bangladesh wants to remain competitive in global trade, it must adopt AI technology more widely across its business sectors.”
Sakif Shamim believes AI can be a game-changer for entrepreneurship in Bangladesh, especially for the country’s thriving base of over 45 million entrepreneurs. “Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the economy. If we equip them with the tools and knowledge to use AI effectively, we can accelerate innovation, boost productivity, and create more jobs,” he emphasized.
AI has the power to streamline complex and repetitive processes, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on high-impact decision-making and creativity. For instance, AI-powered customer relationship management (CRM) tools can help small businesses engage more effectively with their customers, while intelligent inventory management systems can reduce operational waste and improve supply chain efficiency.
In the context of startups and SMEs, AI can offer solutions such as:
Predictive analytics for market demand forecasting,
Automated financial tools for managing cash flow and budgeting,
Smart marketing platforms that personalize content and outreach, and
AI chatbots that handle customer service 24/7, saving both time and resources.
Such applications enable entrepreneurs to compete on a level playing field, even without massive capital or infrastructure.
To realize this vision, Sakif Shamim called for a national movement led by influential business platforms such as the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). He emphasized that if FBCCI prioritizes AI training programs for young entrepreneurs and startups, it could greatly expand trade, foster innovation, and attract both local and foreign investment.
He also plans to introduce initiatives that will ease access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including:
Facilitating low-interest bank loans,
Advocating for policy reforms that support innovation, Promoting incubation hubs and accelerators powered by AI tools.
Shamim’s advocacy is not just theoretical – he has actively applied AI in his own ventures. His digital healthcare initiative, “Life Plus BD”, is a shining example of how AI can improve lives.
The app, which he founded and now leads as CEO, offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services including virtual consultations with specialists, diagnostic tests, report delivery, medicine ordering, ambulance dispatch, and in-home nursing care – all accessible from a smartphone.
AI algorithms are used within the app to streamline services such as appointment scheduling, symptom analysis, and logistics coordination. “Automation not only increases efficiency but also enhances the patient experience by reducing wait times and ensuring seamless communication,” he noted.
He further explained how AI-driven tools can monitor patient data in real-time, helping doctors make faster, more accurate diagnoses. “This is just one sector. Imagine what AI can do if applied broadly across agriculture, logistics, education, retail, and finance,” he added.
Sakif Shamim’s vision is rooted in a belief that Bangladesh’s path to becoming a high-income country must involve smart integration of advanced technologies. He insists that investing in AI today will lead to stronger businesses, higher employment, and a more resilient national economy tomorrow.
To sum up, Shamim’s approach is holistic – he envisions a Bangladesh where digital transformation is accessible to all, especially the youth and SMEs, and where the country’s economic potential is unleashed through strategic investment in AI.
With leaders like Sakif Shamim pushing this agenda forward, Bangladesh stands on the brink of a new era of digitally empowered entrepreneurship.
