Software firms connecting people with global value chain

The country's software companies are connecting people in Bangladesh with the global value chain, especially through microfinance clients, analysts said at a seminar yesterday.

The seminar, styled "Bangladesh Going Global", was held on the concluding day of the four-day World Congress on Information Technology 2021 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka.

Addressing the seminar, Syeda Wedad Quader, director of Southtech, said software companies are linked to the network that is creating a channel of solutions, enabling them to reach out to their users with the help of mobile technology and data centres.

Software houses are connecting a large number of individuals across Bangladesh and the global value chain, especially through microfinance clients. "The unique motto -- Friendship towards all, malice towards none -- is the reason why the world can knock at our doors of opportunity to create greater value, a better environment, and greater wellbeing," she added.

Within a journey of only six years, eight high-tech parks have started operations in Bangladesh and two to three more parks will start operations within a couple of months, said Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, managing director of the Bangladesh Hi-tech Park Authority.

There will be more high-tech parks, software technology parks, and IT training division centres across the country, he added.

"Infrastructure development and also attracting investment from both the local and international arenas are in process. Our local companies have money, technical support, manpower and a marketplace. In this way, we are progressing."

Zamiliur Rashid, founder and chief executive officer of Ulka Games Ltd, said the importance of mobile gaming in shaping the social and economic sphere of life is enhancing and this industry is going to be worth $100 billion very soon despite the global pandemic. "The local developer will be able to capture a part of the global market. This sector is not only good for earning money but also for social education," he added.

Liakat Ali, deputy managing director of Walton Digi-Tech Industries Ltd, also spoke at the programme.

Syed Ferhat Anwar, a professor of the Institute of Business Administration at the University of Dhaka, moderated the event.