Bangladesh's IT potentials
Friday, 4 December 2009
Firoz Ahmed
PEOPLE are tired of hearing about Bangladesh's great prospects in information technology (IT). But little has been achieved compared to the potentials.
Bangladesh's young and dynamic workforce is its advantage, provided the new generation is trained to make the country an IT powerhouse without further waste of time. But successive governments spoke more and did less to develop this sector. For example, the AL-led alliance government allocated a meagre fund of Taka 1.25 billion in the budget for the current fiscal for the development IT facilities. For the long-awaited IT park at Kaliakair, close to the capital city, land is yet to be acquired. The long submarine cable connection that links Bangladesh with the rest of the world, is frequently snapped, due either to sabotage or other factors, causing losses to IT business.
Every seminar recommends e-governance. But, since worlds are no substitutes of action, Bangladesh continues to be where it has been. Chittagong Customs House is an example of what IT application can do to improve its functioning. Its revenue earning went up but operational costs have gone down. Otherwise, the government administration seems to be following a policy of shunning computers. In some of the offices, computers are nothing more than decorative pieces, as if time has frozen in Bangladesh, with no need to speed up work to utilise previous time.
It was in this backdrop that the AL had, in its election manifesto set the objective of digitisation of Bangladesh' by 2021. Setting of the objective was appreciated everywhere. A time-bound target speaks of the priority. But, achievement of the goal would require a comprehensive plan of action. The core plan has to be implemented, with no waste of time, to lay the foundation for the IT sector to takeoff in five years. Otherwise, digitisation of Bangladesh by 2021, would remain an elusive goal.
The first task in the order of priorities, should be to expand the facilities for IT education. All government personnel have to be trained for the adoption of e-governance. IT parks should be established without further delay to facilitate setting up of IT projects by entrepreneurs to absorb IT graduates or programmers.
IT can rapidly change the face of the nation. It can open up the opportunities for wealth creation, income earnings and employment. Even a one per cent share in the huge international software market can transform Bangladesh.
Software export, outsourcing and call centres can do miracles for Bangladesh within years. But it would require systematic development with government support. According to international surveys, Bangladesh enjoys a comparative advantage over competitors such as India, Philippines and Vietnam. But this potential means nothing unless realised.
PEOPLE are tired of hearing about Bangladesh's great prospects in information technology (IT). But little has been achieved compared to the potentials.
Bangladesh's young and dynamic workforce is its advantage, provided the new generation is trained to make the country an IT powerhouse without further waste of time. But successive governments spoke more and did less to develop this sector. For example, the AL-led alliance government allocated a meagre fund of Taka 1.25 billion in the budget for the current fiscal for the development IT facilities. For the long-awaited IT park at Kaliakair, close to the capital city, land is yet to be acquired. The long submarine cable connection that links Bangladesh with the rest of the world, is frequently snapped, due either to sabotage or other factors, causing losses to IT business.
Every seminar recommends e-governance. But, since worlds are no substitutes of action, Bangladesh continues to be where it has been. Chittagong Customs House is an example of what IT application can do to improve its functioning. Its revenue earning went up but operational costs have gone down. Otherwise, the government administration seems to be following a policy of shunning computers. In some of the offices, computers are nothing more than decorative pieces, as if time has frozen in Bangladesh, with no need to speed up work to utilise previous time.
It was in this backdrop that the AL had, in its election manifesto set the objective of digitisation of Bangladesh' by 2021. Setting of the objective was appreciated everywhere. A time-bound target speaks of the priority. But, achievement of the goal would require a comprehensive plan of action. The core plan has to be implemented, with no waste of time, to lay the foundation for the IT sector to takeoff in five years. Otherwise, digitisation of Bangladesh by 2021, would remain an elusive goal.
The first task in the order of priorities, should be to expand the facilities for IT education. All government personnel have to be trained for the adoption of e-governance. IT parks should be established without further delay to facilitate setting up of IT projects by entrepreneurs to absorb IT graduates or programmers.
IT can rapidly change the face of the nation. It can open up the opportunities for wealth creation, income earnings and employment. Even a one per cent share in the huge international software market can transform Bangladesh.
Software export, outsourcing and call centres can do miracles for Bangladesh within years. But it would require systematic development with government support. According to international surveys, Bangladesh enjoys a comparative advantage over competitors such as India, Philippines and Vietnam. But this potential means nothing unless realised.