Bright future for BD freelancers in global market

FE Youth Desk
In the evolving landscape of Bangladesh's IT sector, a remarkable surge of freelancers has silently emerged, transcending geographical boundaries. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO) report titled 'World Trade Report 2023', Bangladesh currently hosts 14 percent of the global freelancing community, positioning the country as a significant player in the digital services sector.
The term 'freelancing' expresses a profession without the conventional nine-to-five job structure. Freelancers in Bangladesh, ranging from urban centres to remote areas, require their skills, access to electricity, and fast internet connections to earn substantial incomes, with some youths earning tens of thousands of dollars monthly.
In the 'New Shape of Global Trade' chapter of the WTO report, the significance of digital media and the rise of the digital services sector in Bangladesh take centre stage. Organisations worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, are increasingly outsourcing IT-dependent work to local Bangladeshi freelancers, saving costs and ensuring a skilled workforce.
Although precise data on the number of freelancers in Bangladesh is unavailable, Tanjiba Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Freelancer Development Society, estimates around 1.0 million freelancers are actively participating on 153 marketplaces. The youth's growing interest in freelancing is attributed to expanding information technology and various government and private initiatives.
Freelancing platforms or online marketplaces play a major role in connecting freelancers with job opportunities. There is a significant need for freelancers, especially in web designing, where various sources suggest an average hourly income between US$ 21 and US$ 28.
While the potential for growth in the freelancing sector is substantial, Tanjiba Rahman emphasises the need to move towards higher-wage jobs. She encourages individuals to study subjects of interest and specialise in freelancing within those areas. She believes that learning technology online for just half an hour every day can pave the way for individuals to qualify for freelancing in diverse subjects.
The WTO report highlights Bangladesh's progress in the digital service sector, noting a steady growth in digital services exports, averaging 15 per cent since 2005. E-commerce businesses are flourishing, with an annual growth rate of 18 per cent. The report also cites Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), which stated that in the fiscal year 2020-21, 400 IT companies exported digital services worth US$1.3 billion to 80 countries. This figure rose to US$1.4 billion in the following fiscal year and the services were exported to 167 destinations.
Furthermore, the ICT sector's contribution to Bangladesh's GDP is currently 1.28 per cent, employing 0.3 million (3 lakh) people directly. Projections indicate that by 2025, the workforce in this sector will increase to 0.5 million (5 lakh), ensuring the sector's integral role in the country's economic landscape.
As Bangladesh continues to make progress in the digital service sector, the future for Bangladeshi freelancers appears promising, with opportunities to further enhance skills, and contribute significantly to the global digital market.