The government has initiated a move to develop the country's e-commerce business in conformity with international standard, an official said.
The ministry of commerce (MoC) has formed a committee headed by commerce minister Tofail Ahmed to give an impetus to the sector.
The committee will sit with the stakeholders on February 4 to discuss the issues concerning the growing and prospective e-commerce sector.
"A meeting is scheduled for February 4 to discuss the development of e-commerce in the country," a high official of the ministry, who is involved with the process, told the FE.
He said that the upcoming meeting will stress how the country can play an effective role in the negotiations on e-commerce in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Besides, it will focus on bringing all the activities on e-commerce under a disciplined and organised manner.
The information and communication technology (ICT) division has guidelines on e-commerce.
But there are no unified or combined guidelines on e-commerce, which prevents the sector from flourishing smoothly, according to sector insiders.
At present, there are several hundred e-commerce companies in Bangladesh.
Besides, there are more than 2,000 individuals and organisations selling e-products and services via Facebook page.
Persons involved with e-commerce said that a lack of policy support, regulations and infrastructure hindered the growth of e-commerce in the country.
They suggested that the government provide policy and other necessary support for the expansion of the e-commerce.
E-commerce is playing an important role in many countries around the world.
The world's leading 10 e-commerce companies are Amazon.com, JD.com Inc, Wal-Mart Stores Inc, eBay Inc, Otto Group, Alibaba Group Holding Limited, Cnova N.V, Rakuten and Best Buy Co.
The other members of the committee are secretaries of commerce, industries, foreign affairs and home affairs ministries and information and communication technology division, chairmen of the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Tariff Commission, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Bangladesh Competition Commission, vice chairman of Export Promotion Bureau and a representative of Bangladesh Bank.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com