1. Study / Research ID: DCD_ICT_S_BD
Title: Data Collection and Dissemination of ICT Statistics: The Bangladesh Experience
Month:
Year: NOT SURE (2002 or 2003)
Sponsor:
Reported by:
Sector/Focus: An overview of government initiatives to facilitate the spread of ICT in
the country; the status of ICT statistics data collection in Bangladesh; the status of the
government agency responsible for collection of ICT statistics and its dissemination.
Methodology
Secondary sources include Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Bangladesh Computer
Council (BCC), Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC),
Bangladesh Telephone & Telegraph Board (BTTB), MoSICT (GoB).
Overview
The report started with the authors taking into account events that emphasize the
importance of ICT and the generation and dissemination of ICT statistics. The rest of the
paper is organized as follows: Section 2 provides an overview of government initiatives
to facilitate the spread of ICT in the country. Section 3 focuses on status of ICT statistics
data collection in Bangladesh Section 4 presents the status of the government agency
responsible for collection of ICT statistics and its dissemination. Section 5 presents few
concluding observations.
Findings
• The government has undertaken a number of initiatives - policies, programs, projects
and regulations to create a vibrant ICT sector and to ensure access of all sections of
the population in all regions of the country to the new technology.
• There has not been any attempt in the country to undertake a comprehensive survey to
collect information on the use of ICT at the household and individual levels.
However, the growing importance of this sector stresses the need to have such a
survey. The paper goes on to discuss how BBS would be preparing the questionnaire
in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders.
• BBS had already included 4 questions on ICT in a previous survey which revealed
some important statistics.
• A major study titled “Comprehensive Study of e-Government Initiatives in
Bangladesh- 2003” covering areas of existing ICT infrastructure, inventory of ICT
resources, nature of use of ICTs, training schemes and maintenance mechanisms in
government offices across the country. The major findings from this study has been

2. included in this paper along with the status of IT trained manpower in the government
and the hindrances to e-Government.
• The paper discusses in details about Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the
National statistical organization (NSO) of Bangladesh. It outlines the functions of
BBS in relation to ICT, the main Computing Resources (hardware, software and
human resources) of Computer Wing of BBS.
Comments
• The paper served its purpose quite well. But it could have taken a more active role
and gone for some primary information, rather than solely depending on secondary
sources.
• This paper is an enlightening one when it comes to enhancing our knowledge
regarding BBS.
• It was a bit short-sightedness of the author to exclude the private statistics
organizations from the study.
Study / Research ID: BD_QEU_MAR2007
Title: Bangladesh Quarterly Economic Update
Month: March
Year: 2007
Sponsor: Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Reported by: The Economics Unit of the Bangladesh Resident Mission, Asian
Development Bank (ADB)
Sector/Focus:
Methodology
The report only makes use of secondary information.
Overview
Findings
• The global market for information technology enabled services (ITES) including BPO
is estimated at $1,000 billion in 2007 and it is growing at a rate of about 30%.
• Asia has been a major destination for BPO with India, Philippines, and PRC being the
large players. Bangladesh has always been a straggler.

3. • BPO services can take many forms, they are well defined, and their successful
completion can be easily measured.
• Bangladesh largely lags the major BPO exporters mainly because of limited capacity
of firms, unskilled human resources, and poor infrastructure.
• BPO services growth in the vendor countries has been propelled by a combination of
factors, including improvements in ICT and the skills base of workers.
• India is often cited as the leading BPO destination. It has been helped by low labor
costs, skilled English speaking workforce, business-friendly ICT environment, and
favorable time zone differences with the client countries.
• High population, cultural affinity with the major markets, and advanced
telecommunications infrastructure are the key factors driving the robust BPO growth
in the Philippines.
• Bangladesh can initially start by transforming its low cost workforce into a valuable
asset through adequate training and professional development. Vendors currently
offering basic functions can gradually gather more experience and aim to offer
advanced data processing services and more comprehensive solutions. To offer high
value-added services, Bangladeshi vendors need to establish a strong international
reputation and brand equity.
• Several issues need to be addressed at the firm and macro levels to adequately
respond to the constraints facing Bangladesh.
• As the industry becomes increasingly competitive, it will demand
o A better trained workforce and skills
o Improved quality of services
o Significantly high professional skills
o Excellent communication and basic knowledge about the client country’s
culture
• To better capitalize on existing opportunities, Bangladesh needs to:
o focus on offering high value-added functions, rather than striving to increase
earnings only through greater volume;
o boost their capacity and workforce skills, define business plans, and develop
marketing strategies;
o have regulatory support in place to accelerate outsourcing services growth in
the country;
o offer a stable political environment as political risk is an important factor in
decisions to move work.
Comments
• The report can act as an eye opener for all the thinkers and investors in Bangladesh.
• It lacks a greater Bangladesh perspective on an objective viewpoint. There should
have been some examples or more concrete suggestions rather than subjective
comments as to how Bangladesh can transform into an important BPO vendor.