DCCI opens helpline centre to provide easy ICT access to members, SMEs
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
FE Report
A SME Helpline Centre (SMEHC) was inaugurated Monday at Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Research and Information Cell to provide easy ICT access to the members and other SMEs.
Ministry of Industries Secretary Md Nurul Amin inaugurated the SMEHC. DCCI President Hossain Khaled chaired the session, where Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Deputy Director (DD) Kamaluddin Ahmed presented a paper on e-commerce.
The DCCI president, in his welcome address said, the desired growth of output and productivity in the SMEs are retarded due to lack of innovative technology, skilled labour and proper information.
He termed information as the prime raw material to be competitive in the business, and said, the DCCI has already developed a computerised database to provide information services to its members.
He added that only 15 per cent of the SMEs use computers and only 8-10 per cent of the SMEs use internet for the business purpose. He also expressed optimism that the SMEs will be conscious about the legal framework, rules and regulations, regulatory framework and addressable size of the market etc by using the facilities provided by the SMEHC.
The Ministry of Industries secretary highlighted the activities of the SMEHC and its cooperation with the trade bodies. He said, the trade bodies would be free to fix their charges for the helpline services. Emphasising the importance of ICT he said, through the use of ICT, the local entrepreneurs will be more competitive, and new markets will be created for them.
The BCC DD in his presentation defined e-commerce, and explained the importance, barriers and challenges of ICT for the SMEs. He suggested government low-cost turn key tools that can be used by the SMEs in their day to day operation in a Free and Open based 'SME in a Box' package. He also emphasised on the public private partnership.
Coordinating Director of IT Standing Committee TIM Nurul Kabir also spoke on the occasion. Ferdaus Ara Begurn explained the information services already provided by DCCI and the additional services that will be provided through the SMEHC.
Among others, DCCI Sr Vice-President M Shahjahan Khan and Vice-President Alauddin Malik were also present in the meeting.
A SME Helpline Centre (SMEHC) was inaugurated Monday at Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Research and Information Cell to provide easy ICT access to the members and other SMEs.
Ministry of Industries Secretary Md Nurul Amin inaugurated the SMEHC. DCCI President Hossain Khaled chaired the session, where Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Deputy Director (DD) Kamaluddin Ahmed presented a paper on e-commerce.
The DCCI president, in his welcome address said, the desired growth of output and productivity in the SMEs are retarded due to lack of innovative technology, skilled labour and proper information.
He termed information as the prime raw material to be competitive in the business, and said, the DCCI has already developed a computerised database to provide information services to its members.
He added that only 15 per cent of the SMEs use computers and only 8-10 per cent of the SMEs use internet for the business purpose. He also expressed optimism that the SMEs will be conscious about the legal framework, rules and regulations, regulatory framework and addressable size of the market etc by using the facilities provided by the SMEHC.
The Ministry of Industries secretary highlighted the activities of the SMEHC and its cooperation with the trade bodies. He said, the trade bodies would be free to fix their charges for the helpline services. Emphasising the importance of ICT he said, through the use of ICT, the local entrepreneurs will be more competitive, and new markets will be created for them.
The BCC DD in his presentation defined e-commerce, and explained the importance, barriers and challenges of ICT for the SMEs. He suggested government low-cost turn key tools that can be used by the SMEs in their day to day operation in a Free and Open based 'SME in a Box' package. He also emphasised on the public private partnership.
Coordinating Director of IT Standing Committee TIM Nurul Kabir also spoke on the occasion. Ferdaus Ara Begurn explained the information services already provided by DCCI and the additional services that will be provided through the SMEHC.
Among others, DCCI Sr Vice-President M Shahjahan Khan and Vice-President Alauddin Malik were also present in the meeting.