Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Ltd will invest more in research and development (R&D) to work through innovation, localisation and collaboration in immensely potential Bangladesh.
"Bangladesh has come a long way in the field of information and communication technology and we're very happy to be an active member of this transition," said Huawei Bangladesh CEO Pan Junfeng.
"We want to work through innovation, localization and collaboration in the immense potential of Bangladesh," he added while addressing a press meet on Monday.
The event was organised on the occasion of releasing Huawei's Global Annual Report-2021 at a city hotel. The report was released virtually in 170 countries the tech giant is operating.
Speaking at the programme, Mr Pan says the company has maintained solid performance throughout the past year.
As per the report, Huawei achieved Tk 8.65 trillion ($99.97 billion) in revenue in 2021 and Tk 1.54 trillion ($17.85 billion) in net profits, a 75.9-per cent year-on-year increase.
The company's R&D expenditure reached Tk 1.93 trillion ($22.40 billion) in 2021, representing 22.4 per cent of its total revenue.
Huawei has brought its total R&D expenditure over the past 10 years to Tk 11.48 trillion ($132.66 billion).
Huawei wants to work intensively on digital power and cloud, according to Mr Pan.
The CEO highlights Huawei's role in the building of Digital Bangladesh. "Huawei has been working in Bangladesh for Bangladesh for the last 23 years."
Within this time, Huawei's cloud service ranks fifth globally and third in China. Besides, Huawei is working in the digital power sector.
Huawei's Smart Photo-voltaic Solution has been used at Mymensingh Solar Plant in Bangladesh.
The Chinese company has been working for many years to create ICT talent in Bangladesh.
In 2021, Huawei Bangladesh jointly launched a new programme called 'Bangladesh ICT Skills Competition' with the government's ICT division.
Jason Lizongsheng, a member of the Huawei Bangladesh Board of Directors, says the ICT-based future will create many needs for skilled youth in the world.
One of the great strengths of Bangladesh is the youth of this country, he adds. "We want the youth… to create their place in the world market and take Bangladesh forward with their skills and great ideas."
"By the year 2025, we've planned to make about 100,000 young people in South Asia skilled in ICT where many youths from Bangladesh will be able to participate."
"This year, more than 6,000 young talents from Bangladesh will get this opportunity," Mr Jason concludes.
Despite a revenue decline in 2021, CFO Meng Wanzhou says, Huawei's ability to make a profit and generate cash flows is increasing.
It is more capable of dealing with uncertainty, he adds.
Thanks to the enhanced profitability of its major businesses, Huawei's cash flow from operating activities dramatically increased in 2021.
Its liability ratio also dropped to 57.8 per cent and overall financial structure has become more resilient and flexible.
In 2021, Huawei's carrier business generated Tk 3.82 trillion ($44.19 billion) in revenue and helped carriers around the world deploy leading 5G networks.
Huawei's consumer business zeroed in on consumer wants and needs, further building out the global ecosystem for a smart, all-connected era, as part of its 'Seamless AI Life' strategy for clients.
This business generated Tk 3.30 trillion ($38.21 billion) in revenue in 2021 and continued to see steady sales growth in smart wearables, smart screens, true wireless stereo earbuds, and Huawei mobile services.
In particular, smart wearable and smart screen segments both saw 30 per cent+ year-on-year growth.
In total, HarmonyOS was used in over 220 million Huawei devices as of 2021, becoming the world's fastest growing mobile device operating system.
Kevin Xu, chief technical officer; Yuying Karl, director of public affairs and communications, and other Huawei officials also present at the event.
