State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak has said that an inter-operable digital transaction platform will be launched in January to curb the cost and harassment in financial transactions.
“The goal is to bring the people of the country online by providing digital services. 2,000 women entrepreneurs of the country will be given a non-refundable amount of Tk 50,000 for the purpose of website development and marketing,” he said.
He made the statement while speaking as the chief guest at the second session of “Capacity Building Training for Anondomela Platform Users in Bangladesh” kickoff workshop, organized by Bangladesh Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BWCCI) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Sunday.
UNDP Country Economist Nazneen Ahmed spoke during the function while BWCCI President Selima Ahmed presided over it.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, “Online banking, electronic money transfer, use of ATM card is expanding e-commerce in the country. As of March 2020, the size of Bangladesh’s e-commerce sector was Tk 8,500 crore, which has doubled during the Covid-19 pandemic. By 2023, the domestic e-commerce market could reach Tk 25,000 crore.”
He further said that as a result of various initiatives of the government in developing startup culture, startup ecosystem has been developed in the country at present.
“Startups are being given grants through the Idea project initiated by the ICT department,” he added.
The state minister said that the digital economy is developing in the country through the implementation of Digital Bangladesh.
He said, “In 2018, exports in the ICT sector exceeded 1 billion US dollars. Bangladesh ranks second in online labour force. About 6.5 million freelancers are earning about 500 million US dollars from the outsourcing sector. Out of 39 high-tech or IT parks, eight have already been set up and domestic and foreign investors have started business activities. Of these, 120 companies have invested Tk 327 crore in five of them and more than 13,000 jobs have been created.”
He mentioned that once the construction work of high-tech parks is completed, more than 3 lakh people will be employed.
“A target of Tk 2,400 crore has been set for investment in parks by 2025,” he said.
