Typewriters are set to go to the museums in this age of information technology (IT). Computers have replaced them. Thanks to initiatives by the governments in power in Bangladesh, past and present, one now can have a computer easily. Laptops are gradually taking the place of big-size computers in the way handy cell phones do these days.
But then common people, having no literacy on hardware of computers, are falling prey to cunning and dishonest traders in different computer markets. A section of unscrupulous businessmen, as a recent FE report said, is now importing low quality and counterfeit computers and sells those at much lower prices than those of quality ones. They dupe the hard-pressed buyers.
At the same time, parts of computers are seen frequently replaced with low quality ones. These operate only for a few days and thousands rush to the computer shops for redressal of their problems. The dishonest businessmen fully take advantage of the users' plight and helplessness as computers today have become a way of life with many.
There are counterfeit computers galore in the markets. Ordinary users who are not aware of intricacies of hardware fall easy victims to cunning businessmen who trade on their miseries. They are not technically equipped to know which computer is genuine or which is not. And here the dishonest and frauds step in. They simply fleece them. As they are now used to computers, they have no other alternative but to succumb to tactics of the counterfeiters and crooks in computer trade.
One has to understand what counterfeit means. Clear-cut definitions are needed to improve detection and removal of the parts. Definitions focus on testing and classify parts properly. For instance, 'remarking' covers at least three types of parts: used, recycled or refurbished parts removed from old products and falsely presented as new; product revisions, where the original component manufacturer (OCM) has authorised certain distributors and others to remark; parts which may have been wholly fabricated or contain similar product and remarked illegally in a criminal facility to look like authentic parts.
One also must know that this fine distinction is a critical first step to knowing how to agree on what is counterfeit so that government and industry can take steps to identify and remove counterfeiters aptly. These definitional problems are real world issues; they inform how to evaluate parts as well as the companies which are selling these parts.
Genuine computer businessmen are now at their wit's end to remain in the business. Although they have an association, lack of tough laws in Bangladesh to deal with counterfeit ones and cheating dealers or businessmen engaged in computer business has given an added boon to those who thrive on cheating.
"In fact, what can they do really? A patient cannot study MBBS just to know what his ailment and its cure are," said a frustrated young student at a city computer market the other day.
Another young entrepreneur at the Multiplan Computer Complex at Elephant Road is perplexed. "We are being driven out of genuine business by the bad ones," said the proprietor of QOS Enterprise.
"If the present alarming availability of counterfeit and fake computers continues, we do not know what will happen to the huge prospect the IT offers to Bangladesh," he ruefully said.
There is still no law on curbing dishonest business with computers. Genuine businessmen have urged the government to enact one, with stringent provisions of punishment, both jail terms as well as fines, in the way it was done in case of cyber crimes.
While students and young people are cheated when they buy computers, after-sales service often turns out to be so costly that learning IT becomes a highly expensive job. It is to be noted that most of the computer users are lower middle class and fixed income group of people who face difficult times these days for bare survival due to extremely high cost of living.
Users, mostly unaware of hardware, are being led to believe what dishonest businessmen or technicians in complex technical language advise them. Thus they are trapped. A hefty fee is charged. Users are just helpless given the situation where one has to pay or go back home with the disabled computer cursing his/her fate.
Who loses finally? It is the country that has great opportunities to get whopping returns from a burgeoning IT sector.
The IT has huge prospects in these days of globalisation. A Commerce Ministry report on 'Export of Computer Software from Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects' says there are many positive aspects of Bangladesh's software. Every year, a large number of students are receiving degrees and training on computer-related subjects from different government and private universities. Many Bangladeshi students are also studying abroad. Besides, IT-educated manpower is available in Bangladesh at much lower cost than those of the developed countries and even neighbouring India.
Even the State Minister for Information Communication Technology (ICT) Division said the other day IT exports could reach one billion US dollars in five years if the present trend continues.
"The country is now exporting US$ 20 million in the IT sector and we have a huge potentiality of one billion dollar IT export in next five years," he told a view-exchange meeting with journalists in Dhaka.
But can the IT sector achieve it? It needs to be streamlined first with adequate and tough laws to curb malpractices in the computer markets. Because, these markets are the real breeding grounds for IT professionals. After all, a good computer at a reasonable price matters most to them.
arjayster@gmail.com
Dealing with dishonest IT businessmen
Rahman Jahangir | Published: April 12, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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