The process of computerisation of government offices remains very slow, despite the tall claim about achieving a digital Bangladesh sooner rather than later. The few functional projects for extending IT to government departments have, however, shown how application of IT can very substantially improve earnings, decrease operational costs and attain major efficiencies. There is no denying that policies implemented to computerise governmental functions can fetch significant results in many ways by expanding the market for IT products. In a recent report in this paper, the President of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) observed that earnings from locally made software products could be raised to Taka 70 billion by as early as 2014 if the government pursues favourable policies to enable greater software consumption locally and facilitate their export.
The demand for software creation and consumption can effectively rise from the government's more energetic policies of computerisation of its offices. The local IT companies would find greater opportunities for businesses and alongside they would engage more manpower. Thus, a greater number of software makers would emerge. From knowing about the dependability of Bangladesh-made software as and when local products start effectively meeting demands here, foreign companies in greater number would feel confident to come forward to place orders for software in Bangladesh.
The government has set a date or vision of digital Bangladesh by 2021. This time-bound target is appreciated. But the question arises about how this target will be achieved in the face of so many problems that now bedevil the sector. The actual reaching of the target will vitally require immediate formulation of a comprehensive plan and its implementation for addressing various needs in the sector. The first tasks in the order of priorities would be fast expanding the facilities for IT education.
Officials and employees in the various government departments would have to be trained to make them suitable for the introduction of e-governance. IT parks should be established and operated fully at the fastest. This development would have two-fold benefits. First, potential entrepreneurs would find the incentive to set up their projects sooner rather than later. Secondly, IT graduates or programmers and workers at different levels would quickly find employment in them. Furthermore, the problems relating to power supply, access to internet, spread of computer literacy etc., will also have to be addressed for creating a synergy that will be of utmost importance for achieving the goal of a digital Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, it is worthwhile to note that the international market for IT services and products is estimated to be $600 billion annually at current value. If Bangladesh can carve out a market share of even one per cent in this market, then that would mean a substantial addition to its present foreign currency earnings. Software export, outsourcing and call centres can lead Bangladesh to this goal in not-too-distant future. But systematic developmental activities in this sector will require to be undertaken for achieving this goal, with the government playing an optimum supportive role. Otherwise, a digital Bangladesh will remain an empty slogan only.
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Quelle/Source: The Financial Express Bangladesh, 05.04.2010
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