Push to develop blockchain-based traceability solution locally

Speakers at a knowledge session stressed the need for developing blockchain-based traceability solution locally for all the sectors in the country.
The Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) in collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division and Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Innovation Lab organised the session on 'Blockchain-based Traceability Challenge 2022' at the BASIS Auditorium in the city recently, says a press release.
BASIS Director AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu delivered the welcome address and moderated the session chaired by BASIS President Russell T Ahmed.
Policy Advisor of a2i Programme Anir Chowdhury, President of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufac-turers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) Syed Nasim Manzur and Chairman of Agro Food ISC Md Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan joined the session as discussants.
In his welcome address, AKM Ahmedul Islam Babu said the goal of this challenge is to seek local IT-based solutions namely blockchain-based solutions to resolve the traceability issues of all the sectors.
BASIS President Russell T Ahmed said, "We should speak with the leaders of different sector-based associations and district chambers to identify their problems and come up with ICT solutions accordingly."
This initiative aimed to capture the local market by providing the latest tech solutions will increase productivity and deliver blockchain-based traceability solution which would be scalable to all the sectors of the country, he said.
He emphasised the need to launch a pilot solution by this October, opening a door to work out a comprehensive solution by next year.
Policy Advisor of a2i Programme Anir Chowdhury and Chief of Blockchain Academy for Research, Education and Development (BARED) Khondkar Atique E Rabbani gave a briefing about the blockchain technology and challenges.
Anir Chowdhury said, "Blockchain-based traceability challenge comprises three goals. The first is a generic blockchain-based solution for solving specific problems. The second is to establish Bangladeshi IT companies as an expert in this domain. The third is to develop a supportive eco-system that includes proper policy implementation."
LFMEAB President Syed Nasim Manzur highlighted the challenges of the leather industry and the need to brighten the image of leather goods and footwear sector in the foreign markets, which can be rightly addressed at this moment with traceability solution, preferably developed locally.
Chairman of Agro Food ISC Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan said this will ensure transparency of the entire value chain and maintain the authenticity of the data captured.
He added that 4IR technologies can enable businesses to employ more people contrary to the popular belief of the opposite.
Md Ibnul Wara, Managing Director, Austan, opined that this technology may also address the issues of organised farming and regulating slaughterhouses, which would ensure quality rawhide for the leather goods and footwear exporting sector.