The Ministry of Commerce has formulated a draft policy to facilitate the development of the e-commerce sector by controlling the anarchy created in the sector and protecting the interests of the consumers.
The draft policy states that e-commerce companies will be obliged to deliver the product to the buyers within a maximum of 48 hours of placing an order online. The policy has also stipulates fines for non-delivery of goods within the stipulated time.
The Ministry of Commerce will hold a meeting soon with the concerned ministries and agencies, including business representatives from the concerned sectors, to finalize the draft.
With the launch of fourth generation internet service (4G) following the third generation internet service (3G) back in 2013, the trend of using smartphone among the people went beyond imagination. At the same time e-commerce sector boomed with new investments. All in all, the sector has grown. Buyers have also increased.
The number of website-based e-commerce companies in the country is now around 2,000. There are more than 50,000 Facebook and other social media-centric initiatives in the country. The annual sales amount is about Tk 8000 crore. Again, many shop owners sell products online. Many of them are again associated with the well-known online marketplace or trading medium.
It is learned that the general holiday started from March 26 to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country. At that time there was a huge demand for groceries and daily necessities as opposed to conventional products. E-commerce companies were in dire straits to cope with the four-five-fold increase in orders.
With the opportunity of people's reliance on e-commerce during the stagnated situation some nefarious circles are cheating customers. Many people are being deceived in various ways by buying products after seeing glamorous advertisements and tempting offers online. In particular, giving double, triple offers or cashback but not delivering the product within the specified time. It also deceives buyers by supplying substandard or expired products.
On the other hand, many people are starting an online business by opening a page on their own initiative on social media. But in this case, it is becoming difficult for buyers to understand reliable sites. Besides, most of the people are falling into the trap of cheating by paying the advance price. In case of cash on delivery, the buyers fall in dilemma as they cannot return the product for 'No Return Policy' if they do not get their desire products.
E-commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-Cab) general secretary Abdul Wahed Tomal said they are yet to get the policy details officially but they have submitted a proposal for the policy draft earlier.
On the other hand about the F-commerce Tomal said, "There are almost 50000 entrepreneurs working in social media, none of them is listed with us. We do not have to do anything if someone buys products from these organizations or any of our non-member organizations. If buyers check the e-Cab before purchasing the product, there is at least one way we have to identify and punish the fraud."
However, he said the new policy will be helpful both for businesses and consumers.