With the current trend of growth in exporting softwares and other items in information technology (IT) Bangladesh can earn about US$ 5 billion by 2025, experts said.
IT industry insiders believe that it is possible to earn USD 20 billion or even more from this sector by 2031 if the government and the private sector work together.
It will be possible only if the stakeholders - the government, IT industry and the research works in universities coordinate. The experts said that it is necessary to develop skilled manpower in the sector to boost the IT industry.
Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) President Russell T Ahmed expressed such expectation at the inauguration ceremony of BASIS Softexpo 2023 at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center, Purbachal on the outskirt of the capital on Thursday.
He said, “2025 is not too far. Neither 2031 nor 2041 is too far away. There are many possibilities in front of us. We should not miss the boat of that possibility. Our main objective of this exhibition arrangement is to show the potentiality along with capability of the local ICT institutions. The Vision of Digital Bangladesh has been realized due to the pioneering contribution of our ICT sector. The objective of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Advisor of ICT SajibWazed Joy is to turn the country into ‘Smart Bangladesh’ from ‘Digital Bangladesh’. On this account, we can be the strongest partner to realize Smart Bangladesh.”
National Parliament Speaker DrShirinSharminChaudhury inaugurated the exhibition as the chief guest while Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar, State Minister for ICT Division, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, were present as special guests.
Speaker Dr. ShirinSharmin Chaudhry said, “Our dependence on software is increasing day by day. There is no alternative to software in making Smart Bangladesh.”
She also believes that it is possible to leverage the earnings from ICT sector from USD 5 billion to USD 20 billion if necessary steps taken from promoting IT industry, and making skilled workforce with a coordination between the government, the industry and the academia.
“If the issues, raised by the BASIS chief, are good for the country, the Prime Minister may consider it,” she said, adding that BASIS would come forward in making Smart Bangladesh.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar lauded the country’s overall achievement in IT sector, saying “Now we should give more focus on the issue of exporting software and ITES-enabled services.”
Prime Minister called for diversifying country’s export. IT is the only sector where 100 percent valuation is possible only through talent.
State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that it would play a significant role in promoting the country’s IT sector as well as achieving IT export target.
“IT has now become one of the important sectors of the country where it has been possible to employ about 20 lakh people. The country is now getting export earning worth 1.4 billion dollars from the IT sector. The government and the private sector are working together to increase it to five billion dollars by 2025,” said Palak.
Referring to facilities given in the IT sector, the minister said 10 percent cash incentive has been given to promote export. Fixed broadband connection has been provided to 4500 unions of the country.
Highlighting different steps aimed at making bridge between research universities and the industry taken by ICT division, Palak said, “An initiative has been taken for training and making entrepreneurs of one lakh fresh graduates through mentorship.”
Abu Daud Khan, Convener of BASIS SoftExpo 2023 and Vice President (Admin) of BASIS among others also spoke on the occasion.
Over three lakh people including public and private policy makers, about 200 national and
international speakers, high officials of public and private institutions, IT experts, IT businessmen of different countries, foreign delegates, IT users from home and abroad, and the interested youths are attending the fair.
