Telecom experts say about Bangladesh’s prospect
Bangladesh has the potential to create over 2 lakh direct and 50,000 indirect jobs and earn $5 billion in foreign currency per year in the next decade through outsourcing business.
Foreign telecom analysts made the observation yesterday at eAsia 2011, Asia’s mega information and communications technology (ICT) programme at the ‘eAsia 2011’, in the capital yesterday.
Outsourcing, also known as business process outsourcing, is a way of doing business through a third party.
A number of foreign outsourcing experts, researchers, administrators as well as local policymakers spoke at event at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
They invited foreign investors to choose Bangladesh as their offshore destination.
Gurujot Singh Khalsa, CEO of US-based WorldBridge Global Inc, said within the next 15 years Bangladesh should look to earn $8 billion per year from outsourcing business.
He termed the figure realistic.
Countries like India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brazil, South Africa and Pakistan are doing good outsourcing business in the US.
And although Bangladesh is there, its presence is not that vibrant, he added.
His company, WorldBridge, is going to invest $150 million in Bangladesh in the next five years, which will create 10,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs earning $100 million in foreign money per year.
This investment will draw attentions of other global companies to invest in the country, he added.
Danish Ambassador Svend Olling said, “Denmark believes in the future of the IT sector of Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh’s IT sector is small but it grew 40 percent each year for the last five years, he added.
He suggested that the local investors focus on a single service for business proposal while dealing with foreigners. At the same time, the government should offer reliable internet connection at a low price.
Analysts also stressed the need for infrastructure, English proficiency and backup international submarine cable, among other things, for the outsourcing business to grow in Bangladesh.
Commerce Minister Faruk Khan said Bangladesh has exported IT products worth $11 million this year, which is 95 percent more than the previous year.
Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, adviser to the ICT state minister, said the present government has identified the challenges of the sector and is working to overcome the shortcomings.
-With The Daily Star input
