Growth of BD\\\'s software export slow due to inadequate forward linkage

Inadequate forward linkage is causing slow growth of Bangladesh's potential software export to the vast international market, sources said.
With the growing need for software in the international market, export from Bangladesh was projected at US$ 1.0 billion by this fiscal year (FY2015), but it is only less than one-fourth of the target.
Former President of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (Basis) AKM Fahim Mushroor said lack of branding, inadequate support from diplomats, meagre government fund for arranging fairs, complex money transfer procedure in capital accounts and some other problems are affecting software export from Bangladesh.
As per central bank data and other statistics in the last FY, total export earnings were worth only US$250 million (including freelance) and until January of the current fiscal it was only $70 million.
Mr Mushroor said though the government has taken initiatives to train the ICT-related people with the help of the international donor agencies, until today there is lack of skilled manpower.
Although a good number of local firms are developing software for the world's renowned business firms, the growth is not up to the mark as there is inadequate support from the diplomats and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) to brand Bangladesh, he said.
He also said if the existing 200,000 freelance software engineers were trained and financially supported by the government, the export earnings might reach $ 1.0 billion within next two to three years.
Basis secretary Hashim Ahmed said at least ten local software firms are working for the world's big companies and they need to transfer money for marketing, setting up offices and participating in the ICT fairs.
He said due to the strict rules of the central bank on capital transfer the firms cannot use money abroad resulting in the loss of the market.
Referring to Reve Systems, a big local software developing firm, he said the company is currently getting big orders from international market from its Singapore office.
He said due to complex procedures, the local company cannot do business as usual but it gets big orders from its foreign office with a foreign name.
A software developer at the Computer Ease Limited said if there were adequate government supports and strong forward linkage with the help of the diplomats, EPB and other departments, the export might cross one billion dollar.
He said the government needs to brand Bangladesh by helping software firms to work for the world's big companies.
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