BASIS eyes $1.0b export earning

Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) has placed a five-year vision for the country's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector targeting to earn US$ 1 billion from the software export.

The BASIS declaration also highlights of making 1.0 million professional IT manpower by five years, internet connectivity for 10 million people each year and 1 per cent contribution to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) from the sector.

The president of the trade body Shameem Ahsan formally declared the five-year campaign on "One Bangladesh- Next Five Years Vision of Bangladesh Software & IT Services Industry" at a city hotel recently.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith who inaugurated the campaign lauded the plan undertaken by the organization. He is also ambitious that the country's development will be based on ICT and expressed his all-out support for the overall development of this sector.

He suggested the BASIS for picking up young talented people from the society for creating innovative things fore well being of the people.

State minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alamand, state minister of ICT division Zunaid Ahmed Palak and other high-ups of the government attended the function.

Finance minister also praise the contribution of the mobile industry for connecting the people but at the same time he categorically blamed the operator for creating various problems.

"They have to think about their infrastructure facilities as I think their infrastructure is weak comparing to the money they charge for their services."  

State minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam said, "BASIS needs to formulate a proper roadmap for marketing the ICT products, specially targeting the USA and Europe market."

BASIS also requested the government to withdraw aVAT form internet uses and e-commerce which is now booming in the country.

BASIS Secretary General Russel T Ahmed delivered a welcome speech at the ceremony.