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Software export may reach $ 1b: Expert

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Software export may reach $ 1b: Expert

Software export may reach $ 1b: Expert

Sunday, 10 June 2012

DHAKA, June 9: The country’s information and communication technology sector would be boosted if the development allocation for the sector in the proposed budget is implemented in line with ICT policy, said the industry insiders. The software export would be increased to US$ 1 billion each year by developing the country’s ICT infrastructure using the budgetary allocation actively, they added.

Talking to BSS, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) President Mahboob Zaman said the government has allocated Tk 294 crore as development expenditure for the newly established Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, which is very optimistic for the country’s ICT industry.

Zaman said the government could establish Hi-Tech Park in Gazipur and IT Park at Janata tower in the city immediately using the allocation, as both the project would not require huge fund.
The IT professional would get ideal place for developing software after setting up both the parks, he added.

Zaman, however, fears that the development allocation may not be used for ministry’s procurement purposes like previous years.

The BASIS president said that few international and local ‘venture capital’ has moved forward to invest in country’s ICT sector.

But, it requires ICT and telecom related developed infrastructure, he added.

“If we could ensure developed infrastructure, the venture capital is ready to invest without hesitation considering our position in the global ICT sector,” said Zaman, adding, “Our IT professional would engage themselves to display their innovation and creativity after they get rid of financial uncertainty.”

He said that they have earned $ 29 million through software export during July-November period of fiscal 2011- 12, and hoped that the similar amount would come from another six months that ended in June 30 of the same fiscal. Zaman, however, informed that their total earning projection was $ 37 million in the fiscal 2011-12.

The total earning was $ 31 million in fiscal 2010-11 while the figure was $ 27 million in fiscal 2009-10.

On imposing 2 per cent tax at source on mobile bill (both post-paid and prepaid), the BASIS president said it was not justified from the point of local market context.

He said the initiative of tax collection would make negative impact on country’s growing industry, as most of the users both in urban and rural areas use internet through mobile broadband.

Zaman suggested the government to take initiative to hold the young generation’s attraction on ICT sector.
 
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From $37 Million to $1 Billion, very ambitious target. I wonder how long it will take to achieve the target.
 
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