Policy reform, easy access to finance, up-skilling key to ICT sector growth: Seminar

Experts at a seminar highlighted that the annual global market volume for information technology including IT services, software and devices is nearly US $3 trillion.

Bangladesh’s IT industry with nearly $2.5 billion of revenue is present in a small segment only despite having one of largest pools of IT-related workers in the world, said President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) Ashraf Ahmed.

He made the remarks in a keynote speech at a seminar titled ‘Reform for ICT Industry Growth’, held in the capital on Saturday, UNB reports. 

Ashraf Ahmed went on to say, “We are one of rarest countries in the world which can field such a large workforce. We need to up-skill our workforce, focus on delivering higher value-added services and expand manufacturing capacity across the semiconductor value chain.”

Bangladesh needs to intervene in building expertise in design, assembly packaging and testing (APT) sub-segments, and pursue opportunities in integrated device manufacturing (IDM) for the emerging IOT markets, he pointed out.

Ashraf added that in order to exploit its potential, it is essential to formulate short-, mid-and long-term strategies, proper implementation, investment, coordination between all the stakeholders, and including the public and private sectors.

The software and services export sector has seen exponential growth, reaching export revenue of around USD 1 billion in FY 2024, he added.

Recognising the skill gap and lack of infrastructure in this sector, he said that investment in targeted education, logistic infrastructure, and training programmes are vital to bridge this gap. “To reap the benefit of this emerging sector, we need to invest in up-skilling our graduates, developing IT-friendly academic curriculum and infrastructure.”

Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser, was present in the seminar as the chief guest, while Executive Chairman, BIDA, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun was present as the special guest.

Among others, Mir Shahrukh Islam, Managing Director of Bondtein Technologies Ltd, Bangladesh Bank Executive Director (ICT) Muhammad Zakir Hasan, Syed Almas Kabir, former president of BASIS, Taimur Rahman, chief corporate affairs officer of Banglalink Digital Communications Limited, Md Liakot Ali, Additional Managing Director of Walton Digi Tech Industries Limited, DCCI Vice President Md. Junaed Ibna Ali, former Senior Vice President, DCCI M S Shekil Chowdhury, Convenor of the ICT Committee of DCCI Rashad Kabir, and members of the board of directors also spoke at the seminar.