A new decade has begun with new possibilities. Bangladesh entrepreneurs are talking about this possibility. The country is moving towards new technology possibilities in the new decade, taking the help of various organizations in the software sector of Bangladesh. The fourth decade is called the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Our software sector companies are ready to face the challenge of the fourth industrial revolution. We have already seen, many of our innovative initiatives have been appreciated and rewarded outside the country. Software makers in our country have highlighted the name of Bangladesh outside the country. The steps that the present government has taken in the field of information technology to build ‘Digital Bangladesh’ and what they have achieved so far are remarkable. There are several examples in this regard. The government has reached the information technology to not only in the cities but also in remote rural areas beyond the district and Upazila headquarters. BASIS is working to implement the ‘Digital Bangladesh’ initiative of the government.
The whole world has already praised the progress of Bangladesh in the information technology sector. Dr James H. Poisant, Secretary-General of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), an international organization of the IT sector, said that Bangladesh is doing well and giving great importance to IT. That’s why WITSA has chosen Dhaka for the World Conference. Bangladesh has Vision 2021, through which ICT is moving forward. Leadership is the key to success in any country. Bangladesh possesses it.
To face the fourth industrial revolution, the information technology sector of Bangladesh has emphasized various infrastructure developments including efficient human resources development. At present, the Local ICT Sector’s Market Size is $ 1.3 Billion USD. By 2021, the goal is to earn the 5 Billion USD from this sector. To achieve this goal and to move forward with the new decade of technology, the software sector of the country is working with various technologies.
With the beginning of the new decade, 5G technology will reach to the people. And the technology will come in handy for such tasks as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Big Data Analysis. That is, skilled workers will be needed. Over the next decade, more innovative technology will create new jobs and many of the existing jobs may be shut down. Therefore, skilled workers need to be created. That’s what our country’s software makers are doing. The renowned technology-based company like Genex Infosys, Synesis IT, Brainstation23, iXora, BJIT, Pridesys, BRAC IT, MySoft, MediaSoft, Era Infotech, Nascenia, Ticon, PeopleNTech, NITS, BV Creatives, Techno Vista, Aamra Technologies, B-Track Technologies, ADN Technologies are working to create such efficient human resources.
Gopal Debnath, Managing Director of MediaSoft Data Systems Ltd, said he has been working in the software sector in the country for more than two decades. His organization has an outstanding role in the digitization or automation of the retail sales sector. There is immense potential for local software in the software market. We work with a small part of it. In the creation of digital Bangladesh, small and medium entrepreneurs need to be incorporated in the software market through various incentives. We have to move forward involving new technology. We are working with new technologies and new initiatives, especially in ‘Industry 4.0’. Because there is immense potential in this sector. “The youth generation should emphasize the on the information technology-based education along with raising awareness about the development of the local software market”, said Gopal Debnath.
The demand for freelance workers will increase over the next decade. Freelancers are being led to entrepreneurs through the training initiated by the BASIS.
PeopleNTech has long been providing information-technology training in Bangladesh. This organization works to create skilled human resources in various sectors. According to Abu Bakar Hanip, Founder, and CEO of People N Tech, the dream of the government of earning $ 5 billion by exporting software and services products by 2021 will be possible to implement. For that, we have to create such trained workers and export more services.
Monuwar Iqbal, Managing Director of Pridesys IT, is working with Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence Services in the country. He said that his Pridesys IT-generated ERP software is being used in countries like Madagascar, Fiji, and Indonesia. He is also working on technologies like AI, blockchain for Thailand. He believes such technology will rule the next decade.
Experts in the IT sector say that this decade will not be limited to just the launch of IT products and services. Newer and more advanced technologies will always come. In place of the old products, the updated product service will be launched quickly. With this, the capabilities of smartphones, broadband internet, cloud computing, quantum computing, real-time speech recognition, nanotechnology, wearable devices, and near field communications, cybersecurity, smart cities, internet services will be further enhanced. The development of cloud computing and quantum computing is expected to drastically change the scenario of world technology in this decade. Experts are now talking about launching 3D printing and biometrics. As new devices, strategies, and trends are now being introduced and developed in the online world, it seems that the lifestyle or living style will change drastically in the near future.
To make the country digital, it is necessary to increase the circulation and use of smart machines and procedural facilities, in all sectors, including administration, business, and education. As a result, information technology will have a positive impact on policymaking along with our lifestyle.
BASIS, officially known as the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services is the APEX Trade Body of ICT Sector in the country. This organization has 1 thousand and 300 member companies. Among these companies, there are women entrepreneurs in the shareholders and board of the 60 companies. In this time of the fourth industrial revolution, young people of Bangladesh have to focus on learning modern technologies like AI, machine learning, big data. The strength of Bangladesh is its young manpower. If they are skilled in information technology, Bangladesh will move forward.
State Minister of ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, “Currently, the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in the country is worth about $ 100 crores USD. By 2021, the goal is to pass the $ 500 crores USD in income. We are decentralizing technology. For this, 24 Hi-techs have been created across the country. We all have a wish and that is to use technology for socio-economic development.
President of BASIS Syed Almas Kabir said, “To face of the fourth industrial revolution, the information technology sector of Bangladesh has emphasized various infrastructure development including efficient human resource development. BASIS is ready for this decade. BASIS is working to move forward the country’s software sector. BASIS will further accelerate its activities with various training, workshops, branding, and networking.
M. Mizanur Rahman Sohel
Head of Online, The Daily Jugantor
