Desk Report:
Smart Build, a Bangladeshi organization focused on technology and sustainable development, has reached a new milestone in showcasing the nation’s technological capabilities on the international stage. The company signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster international technical cooperation at the 9th World Investment Forum 2026, held in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
This agreement opens up new possibilities for expanding Bangladesh’s homegrown artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology into the global water management sector. The agreement was signed with NEFER SARL, represented by Nisrine El Awar—project owner of the ‘Revival Silk Heritage’ initiative, who is also associated with ET Cernay and the MEDEF delegation.
Under the terms of the agreement, the parties will explore opportunities for mutual technical collaboration in areas such as intelligent water management, the efficient use of natural resources, and sustainable industrial solutions.
The World Investment Forum 2026, jointly organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the State of Qatar, took place in Doha from October 25 to 27. The global summit brought together heads of state, international investors, and business leaders to discuss technological transformation, investment, and sustainable development.
In addition to this international partnership, Smart Build is taking steps to expand its operations into approximately 20 promising markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe through its ‘PureFlow AI-Powered Water Intelligence’ platform.
Although initially developed for treating industrial wastewater and monitoring compliance with environmental regulations, the technical framework of PureFlow has been designed for broader, more versatile applications. Shafqat Alam, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Smart Build, stated that the platform integrates Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, real-time data analytics, and predictive monitoring technology.
This enables effective solutions for municipal water supply, agricultural irrigation management, seawater desalination, and smart water recycling systems. He further noted that ‘PureFlow’—a solution offered by the company—had already garnered significant international interest at WETEX 2026 in Dubai, prior to the Doha Forum.
Md. Shahab Uddin Riad, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) of Smart Build, remarked that modern water management extends beyond mere environmental infrastructure; it is directly linked to a nation’s economic development, public health, energy security, industrial productivity, and overall environmental stability.
He pointed out that water management operations globally consume a substantial amount of energy. Consequently, the use of AI-driven technology is crucial for addressing water resource constraints and ensuring energy efficiency.
Meanwhile, looking toward future technological possibilities, Smart Build is exploring more visionary applications. As part of this, the company is engaged in preliminary conceptual discussions with a China-based organization regarding advanced water monitoring and recycling technologies—potentially for use in future human settlements or space habitats by around 2030.
The leadership at Smart Build views this international interest and collaboration as a positive validation of the capabilities within Bangladesh’s technology sector. This allows Bangladesh to move beyond being merely a consumer of imported technology, positioning the country instead as an exporter of innovative, high-tech products and services designed to solve critical global challenges.
The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Doha has opened new doors for Bangladesh in the realms of technological innovation, international investment collaboration, and the export of eco-friendly solutions.
