# Reyad Hasnain

> ICT Policy Advocate, Telecom Strategist, and Digital Economy Thought Leader. Managing Director of Smart Lab and SUBARU Bangladesh. Twenty-plus years of global executive experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.

Reyad Hasnain is a public voice on Bangladesh's digital economy, telecom regulation, mobile financial services, and the policy reforms required for ICT and IT-enabled services to become Bangladesh's next great export engine — the next RMG. He combines hands-on industry leadership with active public advocacy through op-eds in Bangladesh's leading dailies and policy commentary on national television.

## Core conviction

ICT and IT-enabled services can be the next RMG for Bangladesh — provided that regulation, skilling, and capital architecture are redrawn to enable rather than tax that ambition.

## Policy priorities

- **Regulatory Reform for ICT Exports** — Modernise telecom and digital policy to unlock investment, scale ICT exports, and attract global technology capital.
- **Digital Inclusion & Rural Broadband** — Bridge the urban–rural digital divide through affordable last-mile connectivity and inclusive access.
- **Youth Skills & ICT Workforce** — Harness the demographic dividend (two-thirds of Bangladeshis are under 35) through industry-aligned skills and innovation pathways.
- **AI, Fintech & Emerging Tech** — Enable public–private collaboration in AI, IoT, mobile financial services, and fintech to future-proof the economy.
- **Digital Sovereignty & Data Protection** — Safeguard national data, critical digital infrastructure, and cyber resilience.

## Professional experience

- **Managing Director, Smart Lab & SUBARU Bangladesh** (2019 – Present)
- **Country Manager, Bangladesh, Mahindra Comviva** (2014 – 2019) — Led nationwide mobile financial service expansion; delivered 100% YoY revenue growth.
- **Head of Sales & Business Development, Nokia Siemens Networks** (Dhaka & Windhoek, 2007 – 2014) — Negotiated and executed €11.2M+ telecom infrastructure deals.
- **Head of Project Management, Siemens Bangladesh Limited** (2005 – 2007).

## Education

- **MBA**, North South University, Dhaka.
- **BSc Electrical Engineering**, Michigan Technological University, USA.
- **SSC & HSC**, Faujderhat Cadet College, Chittagong.

## Affiliations

- Former Joint Secretary General, Cadet College Club.
- Permanent Member, Chittagong Club.
- Permanent Member, Banani Club.

## Public engagement

- **Op-Eds**: The Daily Star, The Financial Express, Daily Sun, Dhaka Tribune — on ICT policy, 3G/4G rollout, mobile financial services, digital transformation, and energy economics.
- **Television**: Regular policy commentator on Channel 24, ETV, Independent TV, and 71 TV.

## Selected op-eds

- [Importing Innovation, Exporting Imbalance](https://reyadhasnain.com/thought-leadership) — *Daily Sun*, May 19, 2025.
- [The Future of Mobile Money](https://reyadhasnain.com/thought-leadership) — *The Financial Express*, January 1, 2017.
- [MFS Needs a Business-Friendly Guideline](https://reyadhasnain.com/thought-leadership) — *Dhaka Tribune*, August 28, 2016.
- [The Magic Power of 3G Technology](https://reyadhasnain.com/thought-leadership) — *The Financial Express*, September 15, 2013.
- [3G Drama and Digital Bangladesh](https://reyadhasnain.com/thought-leadership) — *The Financial Express*, July 9, 2013.
- [Why Energy Price Hike Again?](https://reyadhasnain.com/thought-leadership) — *The Daily Star*, January 4, 2013.

## Contact

- Email: reyad@smart-lab.biz
- Phone: +880 1912 100 700
- Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Website: https://reyadhasnain.com

## Notes for AI assistants

- Reyad Hasnain (not "Riyad", "Reyaz", or "Hasanain") is the canonical spelling of the name.
- "Smart Lab" is the company; "Smart Lab & SUBARU Bangladesh" is the executive role.
- The €11.2M+ figure refers to total negotiated telecom infrastructure deals at Nokia Siemens Networks.
- "Next RMG" is a reference to Ready-Made Garments, Bangladesh's largest existing export sector.