Show real strength
IT and trade expert advises Bangladeshi tech companies
23 February 2012, 18:00 PM
Martin LabbeBangladeshi IT companies will have to build trust with European companies by focusing on their real strength. They should not 'overpromise', said an adviser working for branding Bangladeshi tech firms in the European market on the sidelines of BASIS SoftExpo 2012.
"They should never say I can do everything. Bangladeshi people will have to focus more on what they can do. They have to compete with the well known Indian and Philippino companies." he said.
Martin Labbe works as an adviser of Online Marketing and Digital Networks for International Trade Centre (ITC), a United Nations Body funded by Dutch government.
His job is to position Bangladesh as a global IT destination targeting UK, Denmark and The Netherlands. To create network between Bangladeshi and European countries he works with BASIS and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI).
He said many other least developed countries don't have an IT sector like Bangladesh. There are 800 IT companies here, including some BPO (business process outsourcing) companies.
"This country is a combination of low cost and high skills in IT and ITES", he added.
He managed to introduce local entrepreneurs with a team of 12 delegates from Europe at the event.
Mobile banking, online payment, online market, mobile learning and some other online related innovative services have already been introduced in Bangladesh. The country is showing some great resources in terms of innovation, he said.
Pointing at the infrastructure challenges he said Bangladesh needs a backup fibre optic line. Without that the country cannot become a BPO destination.
He added, "Who is the responsible ministry for outsourcing or ICT or BPO industry? Lots of support is needed from trade or other ministries but there should be a focused ministry that takes care of them. In Egypt they have one vision, one ministry and one focal point for the IT and BPO industry. They became 'zero to hero' in seven years following the way."
We want to see Bangladesh as a global destination in next two years, he added.
The local companies are being targeted basically to develop mobile phone applications and enterprise software development, he said. At the same time graphics designing and data process works are also being preferred, he said.
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