Bd ict research_desk_study_report_6

Desk Study of the Research Reports
on the
Bangladesh ICT Industry
Version 1.0
Fokhruz Zaman, Lead Consultant
Md. Shakhawatul Islam, Research Assistant
Dhaka, Bangladesh
28th
August, 2007
Acknowledgements

We are grateful to these individuals who despite their busy schedules managed to help us
in this desk study:
• Mr. Rafiqul Islam Rowly, President (acting), BASIS
• Mr. A K M Fahim Mashroor, Director, BASIS
• Mr. Monirul Bashar, Business Consultant, Katalyst
• Dr. Ananya Raihan, Executive Director, Development Research Network (D.net)
• Mr. Birendra Nath Adhikary, Chief Operating Officer, Bangladesh Computer
Samity (BCS)
• Mr. Tarique M Barkatullah, Senior Systems Analyst, Bangladesh Computer
Council (BCC)
• Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, PMO/UNDP
• Ms. Suparna Roy, PMO/UNDP
• Mr. Nurul Amin, Secretary, BASIS
• Mr. Shariar Shaams, Program Manager, BASIS

Table of Contents
Executive Summary.............................................................................................................5
Background..........................................................................................................................9
Desk Report Methodology.................................................................................................10
Desk Report Scope.............................................................................................................10
Limitations.........................................................................................................................10
Overview of the ICT studies..............................................................................................11
Findings from the ICT studies...........................................................................................31
Overall Comments.............................................................................................................45
Recommendations .............................................................................................................50
Conclusion.........................................................................................................................52
References..........................................................................................................................52

Executive Summary
Bangladesh ICT Industry Associations have long been planning for periodic
comprehensive research studies to formulate national strategic ICT roadmaps by reputed
international consulting organization(s). The inspiration is largely because of the
NASSCOM-McKinsey annual research studies and their success stories in India. The ICT
Business Promotion Council (Ministry of Commerce) has recently decided to undertake
such research studies for the Bangladesh ICT Industry. Different ICT industry
associations in the country are also closely involved in designing the study. It has been
felt that before designing the final Terms of Reference (ToR) of that study, it is important
to take stock of the already completed studies / surveys carried out by different
organizations / agencies during last few years on ICT industry in the country. So, this
Desk Study was required.
The purpose of this Desk Study was to gather and screen the research reports on the ICT
industry, summarize the findings, and make a qualitative judgment on them. In the last 8
to 10 weeks, we contacted government bodies (e.g. BCC), ICT associations (e.g. BASIS,
BCS), Development Agencies (like Katalyst, SEDF), NGOs dealing with ICT (D.Net),
individual ICT experts and the Internet to look for reports and publications on the ICT
industry of Bangladesh. After much persistence, we managed to collect 41 publications
through our initial screening. We filtered again and selected 24 research & study reports
to do further analysis. This screening was done based on our qualitative judgment and
possible alignment to the future Strategic Roadmap for the Bangladesh ICT Industry.
The studied reports can be broadly classified into 6 gross categories: Overall ICT
Industry, Software Industry, IT Enabled Services (ITES), Human Capacity
Development / Human Resource Development (HCD/HRD), ICT Adoption, Telecom
Infrastructure. These categories are informal and a bit arbitrary, and we did not follow
any formal ICT Industry taxonomy here. We hope that the future in-depth comprehensive
research studies will look into this and formalize according to our national priorities and
global acceptance.
In the beginning, our desk study report provides an overview of the studied reports. Out
of the 6 gross categories, we have 5 reports in the first, i.e. Overall ICT Industry
category. (i) “Baseline Survey on IT Sector of Bangladesh (BCS, Nov, 2000),” studied
the Hardware, Software, ISP & IT Training Companies in Bangladesh, analysed the trend
from 1983 to 1999, and provided many statistics. (ii) “Bangladesh in the New
Millennium – An IT Power House: Recommendation to the Government of Bangladesh
(AABEA Silicon Valley Chapter, SBIT2000 Conference Follow-up Committee, 2001).”
It made use of recommendations from numerous discussions among the NRB
professionals and feedback from American corporate executives. Five problematic areas
were identified by NRBs from the Silicon Valley. (iii) “Policy Brief on "Information and
Communication Technology" (CPD, Aug 2001),” detailed the Overall ICT Industry
Policy Gudielines for the new govt after the 2001 election. CPD made a Task Force
comprising known experts and individuals from the ICT Industry, & Academia. (iv) “BD
ICT Policy Review Report 2003” This study was mainly the Review of the

recommendations of the task force, 2001. (v) “ICT Sub Sector Study in Bangladesh
(JOBS IRIS, 2005)”, was a follow up of 2 seminars organized in 2001 and 2002.
We have 3 reports in the Software Industry category. These are: (i) “Export of
Computer Software from Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects (JRC Study, September
1997)” ;(ii) “Bangladesh Software Industry Survey Report- 2004 (JETRO)”. The JRC
study was based on meetings with exporters and government officials including the
BSCIC Electronics Complex, EPB, and also from a knowledge gathering mission in
India. The JETRO study did a questionnaire survey on 99 known software development
companies and used SWOT analysis; and (iii) “Bangladesh Software Industry & its
Dynamics (BASIS, 2005),” gave us an overview of domestic software market; export and
import of software; technical skill matrix and workforce dynamics of the industry.
The ITES category contains 3 reports: (i) “Elements of a National Strategy for
Development of an Information Technology Enabled Services Sector in Bangladesh
(CARANA Corporation, Apr 2002)” encompassed two different opinion surveys (ii)
“External Market Analysis (CARANA Corporation, 2002)”, where the respondents were
from different public bodies, private sector associations, ITES firms, and the sponsors for
the study and (iii) Study of e-Commerce in Bangladesh (BEI, May’05) depended on
questionnaire based surveys, face-to-face meetings, and phone conversations with
officials in 5 export oriented sectors and different government organizations. It began by
clearly explaining the concept of e-Commerce.
The HCD/HRD category contains 5 reports: (i) The first one is “Human Capacity
Development (CARANA Corporation, 2002)”, conducted interviews with officials from
different software manufacturing firms, universities, training institutes, and other
organizations as direct participants of the ICT industry. (ii) The second report is “ICT
Skills Gap Assessment - Public Sector Assessment (JOBS IRIS, 2006).” Interview with
government officials were conducted. (iii) The report “ICT Skills Gap Assessment -
Private Sector and Academia (JOBS IRIS, 2006)” included a 2-part survey on the
academic and private sector human resources environment and skill requirements for ICT
in Bangladesh. The respondent universities represented the majority of the student
population. (iv)The last report is “Bridging Digital Divide for Rural Youth: An
Experience from Computer Literacy Programme (CLP) in Bangladesh (D-Net, 2006)”,
where both CLP and non-CLP schools were surveyed. The respondents included
students, teachers, head teachers, and guardians. (v) Strategic Plan for Higher Education
in Bangladesh: 2006--2026
The ICT Adoption category contains 6 reports: (i) The first report is: “Peoples’ Report
on MDG: Bangladesh (D.Net)”, which critically assessed the UN MDG (Millennium
Development Goals) and its performance indicators achieved by the BD Govt. (ii) The
second report “ICT / ITeS Need Assessment Study (AC Nielsen, 2005)”, followed a
two-step survey: (a) In-Depth interview and (b) SME survey. The respondents included
different SME verticals. (iii) The next report is “ICT4D Status Report 1.0 (D-Net,
2006)”, which was prepared through numerous meetings with different organizations,
desk research along with interviews and field level data collection. There were 5 separate

chapters written by 5 separate individuals / institutions. (iv)The final report is: “Final
Report on the Law of Information Technology (Law Commission)”, studied about the
legal aspects of ICT Adoption, the needed regulatory framework for e-commerce,
e-governance, PKI issues, Cyber Laws, and related legal aspects.; (v) Study of
e-Government in Bangladesh; (vi) SICT’S Steps towards Good Governance through
ICTs: Bangladesh’s E-Governance Strategy
The Telecom Infrastructure category contains 2 reports: (i) “Bangladesh Telecom
Brief”, briefed overview of the changes, features, and the players in the Bangladesh
telecom sector in 2004. The paper was presented in a New Delhi, India Conference. (ii)
“Community Access Point or Telecentre Movement in Bangladesh (D.net, Nov’06)” gave
a brief presentation of the current telecentre initiatives.
Next, our desk study report reveals the summary findings from each of the reports. We
can list those under the 6 gross categories:
Overall ICT Industry - Definition, implications in the context of Bangladesh,
necessities for its implementation, and constraints faced in implementation for e-policy,
e-governance, e-commerce and e-HRD; recommendations for maturity of e-policy,
e-governance, e-commerce and e-HRD; Under each of the 5 problematic areas discovered
in the Silicon Valley conference, the report discussed (i) its necessity, (ii) the roles and
responsibilities of the government, RB and NRB in establishing the area, (iii)
recommendations by AABEA SV.
Software industry - The finance, human resource, infrastructure, and marketing related
problems (i.e. the problems impeding growth) and their recommendations for the
software industry; the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the
software industry.
ITES (IT Enabled Services) - The strengths, weaknesses, threats, and recommendations
facing the ITES sector; overview of the outsourcing industry and the various factors
involved in outsourcing decisions; global trends in e-Commerce; current preparedness of
the private sector, the government, and the ICT industry for e-Commerce in Bangladesh;
constraints of e-Commerce growth in Bangladesh; recommendations and action-items for
industry associations, individual firms, the government, and the academia.
HCD / HRD - Assessment of HCD capacity and existing constraints; strategies to
reduce / eliminate the constraint; positive developments and recommendations for this
sector; study of the gap between the skills of graduates in the ICT field and the skills in
demand in the private sector; the current disadvantages plaguing e-government in
Bangladesh;
recommendations pertaining to Bangladesh’s government HR and to the government;
recommendations for collaboration between the academic and private sectors, as well as
further recommendations specific to each sector; private sector analysis revealed the

market growth and human resources trends; 14 recommendations and 10 future work
suggestions were made by judging the CLP.
ICT Adoption – The PMDG on ICT is guided by three major components: poverty
alleviation, sustainable economic growth, and economic development. The strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the ICT sector. Bangladesh stands at 171
out of 180 countries in connectivity & ICT diffusion index. The BTRC must be dynamic
in telecom regulations.
Telecom Infrastructure - Some constraints/challenges faced by the telecentres in
Bangladesh; reasons why building a telecentre network is important; no clear, long-term
strategy for sector development; political influence on industry reform proposals;
inefficient telephone network.
Finally, we have commented on each of our studied reports and also recommended a few
of the reports in each of the 6 categories that we have found useful for future reference.
We knew that SEDF (South Asia Enterprise Development Facility) had been conducting
some rigorous ICT Industry Research for Bangladesh, especially on the Software
Industry during the 2003—2004 timeframe. They were also trying to get some famous
international consulting firms to help preparing the ICT strategic roadmap for
Bangladesh. We consider that all those efforts, artifacts are still very valuable for our ICT
Industry and the current desk study. But after repeated mails and phone queries, we could
not get any response from the SEDF. We request BASIS, IBPC once again to pursue
SEDF to get all those valuable documents for our ICT Industry’s benefits. We also came
to know that BCC took several study & research attempts during 1991 – 92. But we could
not find those reports from BCC. We request BASIS, IBPC to arrange those studies, and
also pursue World Bank to know the detailed Project Status reports of their BDXDP
Project which gave special emphasis to the ICT sector.
All the research & study reports, done so far for the Bangladesh ICT Industry, largely
failed to boost the Industry to our expected levels. In our opinion, the studies & research
reports with their islands-like appearances are also partially responsible with all of us (the
Study Sponsors and the Industry Participants) for this overall failure. Because, if the
studies were appropriately designed, duly followed up by subsequent studies and
implemented with pragmatic recommendations in the last 10 years in Bangladesh, then
we could observe some specific developments in the ICT industry. The ground realities
should also have been reflected in the studies with credible data and further suggestions.
Thoroughly researched data, results, and realistic recommendations would encourage
industry participants to take these studies seriously. Then they would take those
recommendations as the Industry guidelines as well as the strategic themes for the
individual companies.

Background
Bangladesh ICT Industry Associations have long been planning for periodic
comprehensive research studies to formulate national strategic ICT roadmaps by reputed
international consulting organization(s). The inspiration is largely because of the
NASSCOM-Mckinsey annual research studies and their success stories in India. The ICT
Business Promotion Council (Ministry of Commerce) has recently decided to undertake
such research studies for the Bangladesh ICT Industry. Different ICT industry
associations in the country are also closely involved in designing the study. It has been
felt that before designing the final Terms of Reference (ToR) of that study, it is important
to take stock of the already completed studies / surveys carried out by different
organizations / agencies during last few years on ICT industry in the country. So, this
Desk Study was required.
This desk study has been sponsored by:
– Bangladesh Association for Software and Information Services (BASIS)
– ICT Business Promotion Council (IBPC)
– Katalyst, Bangladesh
With the help of the other sponsors, BASIS has now initiated this project and as a
pre-requisite it needs to collect all the reports prepared on the Bangladeshi ICT industry
over the last 10 years or so. This report is a part of that fact finding mission. BASIS has
appointed Mr. Fokhruz Zaman, Co-Founder CTO of Millennium Information Solution
Ltd., to conduct the research involved because of his ICT Industry research passion and
long experience in the global software development industry. He has brought in Md.
Shakhawatul Islam, a BBA student from Institute of Business Administration (IBA),
Dhaka University, to assist him with the project.
We have collected all the reports and publications that we have come to know about,
made a qualitative judgment on them through skimming and separated the more useful
ones for further analysis. We tried to evaluate whether a report is well written or not on
the basis of its presentation of facts and whether the authors’ judgments were based on
facts. We believe in the statement by Charles Prestwich Scott, a British journalist,
publisher and politician, that “Comments are free, but facts are sacred.”
Once the better reports were separated, we outlined the overview and summarized the
findings from them to give the reader a brief outlook of each of the reports. Then we
commented on the quality of the studied reports based on the methodology followed in
preparing the report and the findings from it.
We hope that our study will help unleash more comprehensive research projects in the
ICT industry and fulfill the ultimate development goal of this industry.

Desk Report Methodology
(i) Collect as many reports as possible done over the last 10 years on the
Bangladeshi ICT sector from different government bodies, private sector
associations, NGOs and the internet.
(ii) Study all the collected materials, make a qualitative judgment of them and
separate the more useful ones for further analysis.
(iii) Summarize the findings from the latter reports and, based on the methodology
and the findings, comment on the quality each of the reports.
Desk Report Scope
In scope – It was in our scope to collect and study only those publications that fulfilled
the following criterions:
• Involved some fact finding
• Required extensive study
• Has rich primary and secondary data sources
• Qualified in our qualitative judgment.
Out of scope –
• We were not required to do an exhaustive study on the ICT industry
• It was not in our scope to judge the quality of the data collected in the studies
• We did not need to communicate with the sponsors, researchers or respondents of
each studied report
Limitations
• Often the reports and the publications could not be easily obtained. We had to
knock in some offices for a number of times before receiving any response.

Overview of the ICT studies
Category: Overall ICT Industry
Study / Research ID: BLS_IT_S_BD
Title: Baseline Survey on IT Sector of Bangladesh
Month: November
Year: 2000
Authors: Mr. Kamrul Ahsan, M. Rafiqul Islam
Sponsor:The Asia Foundation
Reported by: Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS)
Sector/Focus: Overall ICT Industry. Attempts to baseline the overall IT sector status in
Bangladesh
Methodology
Primary Data Collection used Survey Questionnaires, Interviews with ICT Industry
Experts; Used the published data from BCS, BCC, and BASIS.
Overview
Attempted to baseline the Overall ICT Industry in Bangladesh. The research analyzed the
Hardware, Software, Internet Service Providers (ISP) and ICT Education & Training
companies in Bangladesh from 1983 to 1999. This study took all these 4 categories into
account and attempted an in-depth look into their business and business environment.
Study / Research ID: BD_NM_R_GOB
Title: Bangladesh in the New Millennium “An IT Power House”: Recommendation to
the Government of Bangladesh
Month: February
Year: 2001
Authors: Jahangir Dewan, Munir Ahmed, Zeeshan Khan
Sponsor: Not applicable
Reported by: AABEA Silicon Valley Chapter, SBIT2000 Conference Follow-up
Committee
Sector/Focus: Overall ICT Industry. Recommendations from AABEA Silicon Valley
Chapter to help Bangladesh gain a foothold in the global IT market.
Methodology
The recommendations were the results of numerous discussions among the NRB
professionals and incorporated feedback from executives of corporate America who have
lead several companies and have direct knowledge of the state of the industry.
BD ICT Research Desk Study Report Page 11 of 52 26.aug.07

Overview
NRBs from the Silicon Valley have identified several problem areas; only five areas were
discussed in this proposal:
• Resource Development & Planning
• Focused Team
• Infrastructure
• Business Promotion & Marketing
• Funding
Study / Research ID: BD_ICT_P_RR
Title: Policy Brief on "Information and Communication Technology"
Date: Jan, 2003
Authors: Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Professor Muhammad Jafar Iqbal, Dr.
Ananya Raihan, and other members of the task force
Sponsor: Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
Reported by: Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Task Force
Sector/Focus: Overall ICT Industry
Methodology
• Dissection by the stakeholders in a regional dialogue, organized by CPD, the daily
Prothom Alo and the Daily Star in Sylhet on August 16, 2001.
• The task force members examined the suggestions scrupulously and incorporated
only those recommendations, which were not overlapping with already inserted
recommendations and were not well argued.
• The task force gathered already existing works, prepared by different forum and
organizations and also current policy documents as the point of departure.
• The task force mainly translated existing academic and applied research and views of
different stakeholders into practical policy recommendations, which have been
mapped on the proposed framework.
• The task force distinguished short term [implementable within two years] and mid
term [implementable within five years] action plans to be adopted and implemented
by government and other stakeholders.
Overview
Actions (short and mid terms) and priorities for the policy maker concentrated on the
following subject areas under the headings, each of which was discussed in detail below:
• A Framework for Policy briefs
• Information Infrastructure
1. Regulatory Issues;
2. Universal access;
3. Fixed network development;
4. Mobile network development;

5. Interconnectivity;
6. National telecom policy;
7. Spectrum management and Licensing;
8. Convergence;
9. The Internet;
10. Information Security and Network Reliability.
• Human Resource Development
1. ICT Education
2. ICT Training
3. ICT Based Education
• Economy and ICT
1. ICT Industry
2. ICT for Business Process Reengineering
3. Human Resources for Automation
4. E-Commerce
• Acceleration of Poverty Alleviation through ICT
• Universalization of Quality Health Care Services through ICT
• Financial Infrastructure
1. Automation of Financial Institutions
2. ICT Based Financial Products
3. Financing ICT Industry
• Legal Infrastructure for NII
• Efficiency of the Government
1. Access to Government Information
2. Efficiency of Government Agencies
3. Improvement of Government Transparency
4. Online Government Services
• Digital Empowerment of Women
• Resource Allocation and Fiscal Measures
• Institutional Framework for Coordination of Development of NII
Study / Research ID: BD_ICT_P_RR
Title: BD ICT Policy Review Report 2003
Date: Jan, 2003
Authors: Prof. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Prof. Muhammad Jafar Iqbal, Dr. Ananya
Raihan, and other members of the task force
Sponsor: Center for Policy Dialogue
Reported by: CPD Task Force
Sector/Focus: Overall ICT Industry
Methodology
Several Focused Group Discussions (FGD) within the 14 reconvened CPD Task Force
members. Took the 2001 Policy Recommendations by CPD Task Force Members as the

baseline and reviewed the policy implementations. Revised some recommendations and
also added new ones based on the ground realities in 2003.
Overview
This study is mainly the Review of the recommendations of the task force, 2001; in the
Pre-election policy brief prepared by the ICT task Force, 2001 a comprehensive policy
document was prepared, which provided 210 broad and specific action agenda under
eleven important areas of intervention by the government. The policy brief also suggested
the urgency of implementation by mentioning time frame of implementation and
potential initiating and implementing agencies.
This study tried to make a thorough review of all the prior policy recommendations. In
the Policy Report of 2001 the Task Force presented 210 policy recommendations in form
of action agenda under 121 broad categories. The Task Force revisited those
recommendations and reorganized them under 6 broad categories:
 Information Infrastructure
 Human Resource Development
 ICT Economy
 Acceleration of Poverty Alleviation through ICT
 ICT and Government
 Others
Study / Research ID: ICT_SSS_BD
Title: ICT Sub Sector Study in Bangladesh
Month: May
Year: 2005
Authors: Imran Shauket (Country Director), Erika Hoffman-Kiess (Deputy Director)
Sponsor: JOBS
Reported by: IRIS Center, University Research Corporation Inc. (URCI), University of
Maryland
Sector/Focus: Overall ICT Industry. A literature review of ICT thinking in Bangladesh
Methodology
In 2001, JOBS, in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Science
and Technology, coordinated the acclaimed “E-Commerce in Bangladesh: Potential and
Policy Priorities” seminar, bringing together all key stakeholders in ICT. At the
conclusion of this event, the seminar participants had produced 35 recommendations for
capturing the potential of e-Commerce for Bangladesh. In 2002, at the “ICT Policy and
Practice – Steps to the Future” seminar, in partnership with the newly expanded Ministry
of Science and ICT and the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information
Services (BASIS), those recommendations were revisited and progress was assessed.

The recommendations coming out of these two seminars have been combined with those
from the secondary literature review; thereby enabling a comprehensive recap of progress
made to date and required future steps in all four areas of ICT. While the final list of
recommendations is rather long, this report posits that efforts can be concentrated most
effectively in the area of e- HRD.
Overview
• The report discussed the definition, implications in the context of Bangladesh,
necessities for its implementation, and constraints faced in implementation for
e-policy, e-governance, e-commerce and e-HRD.
• The report provided recommendations for maturity of e-policy, e-governance,
e-commerce and e-HRD.
Category: Software Industry
Study / Research ID: E_CS_BD_P&P
Title: Export of Computer Software from Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects
Month: September
Year: 1997
Authors: Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury and other members of the committee
Sponsor: Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Reported by: The Committee Formed by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of the
People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Sector/Focus: Software Industry. Review of the problems and prospects of software
export from Bangladesh and formulation of recommendations on promotion of software
export.
Methodology
In the first meeting, the Committee invited some members from private sector software
houses involved in exports, so as to draw benefits from their experiences.
The Committee held a series of meetings and analyzed data and information collected
from various published sources.
The Committee sent delegations to India. They visited Mumbai, Bangalore and Calcutta
to acquire first-hand knowledge from the leading members of the software Industry of
India.
A team visited the BSCIC Electronic Complex Building at Mirpur and had discussions
with BSCIC officials. The team also visited the newly constructed Tongi-Ashulia Road to
carry out an inspection of the possible site for Information Technology Village.
Overview

• The Committee has identified the major problems which are impeding the growth of
software industry and has made recommendations for their solution. These are
summarized in tables under four functional areas :
 Fiscal
 Human Resource Development
 Infrastructure
 Marketing
Bangladesh has quite a few inherent strengths which can be used as the launching pad for
making this country a potential offshore source of Software and Data Processing
Services.
Study / Research ID: BD_SISR
Title: Bangladesh Software Industry Survey Report- 2004
Month: April
Year: 2004
Authors: Not mentioned
Sponsor: Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Dhaka
Reported by: A & J Consultants
Sector / Focus: Software Industry. The current Bangladesh ICT Software Industry, its
growth, trends and characteristics.
Methodology
Target Area: Known software development companies in all over Bangladesh.
Survey format: Conducted via enumerators following screening by telephone.
Survey target: Software development companies involved in local and export business
No. of samples: 99 samples (Registered with BCS and BASIS – 72; Non Registered
Software firms – 17)
Selection of target companies: Mailed to all companies on BASIS and BCS involved in
software development.
The survey was carried out by the circulation of a questionnaire to the selected firms in
the few weeks of January and February 2004. The questions requested specific answers.
Two areas were explored: access to an ICT solution provider and Software development
firms.
Primary Sources - ICT Solution Provider and Software Development Firms
Secondary Sources – Various government organizations, private sector associations,
internet and paper media.
Overview
• The report provided SWOT analysis of the software industry.
• This report covered the following topics:

 The growth of the software industry, ICT market, total export sales, total imports,
total sales of local business and the ICT professionals. All the over-the-years data
show a positive trend and needs further encouragement for the good of the
economy.
 The finance, human resource, infrastructure, and marketing related problems and
their recommendations are listed.
Study / Research ID: BD_SI_D
Title: Bangladesh Software Industry & its Dynamics
Date: 2005
Author: Fahim Mashroor
Sponsor: BASIS
Reported by: Fahim Mashroor
Sector/Focus: Software Industry
Methodology
Secondary Research on prior studies & some updated market data through BASIS survey.
Overview
Reported the BASIS conducted study results so far. Summarized report with recent data.
The market size of the total ICT industry in Bangladesh is estimated to be approximately
Tk 1,300 crore per year (excluding the telecom sector). Out of this, the software segment
(comprising mostly of customized and packaged software - not including different types
of IT enabled services like desktop publishing, multimedia, animation, GIS, data entry,
digitization etc.) is estimated to be more than Tk. 200 crore per year. In 2005, BASIS
undertook a business focus survey among 152 software companies (including both
BASIS member and non member companies) to identify the nature of products/services
as well as client segments of the local software companies.
Category: IT Enabled Services (ITES) Industry
Study / Research ID: E_NS_D_ITES_S_BD
Title: Elements of a National Strategy for Development of an Information Technology
Enabled Services Sector in Bangladesh
Month: April
Year: 2002
Sponsor: USAID Bangladesh IT Enabled Services Project
Reported by: CARANA Corporation
Sector / Focus: ITES. Review of the market for ITeS and the comparative advantage of
the Bangladeshi firms.

Methodology
The execution of the study involved detailed research involving 2 trips to Bangladesh, as
well as a visit to the Philippines to examine their recent success in this market.
The study also commissioned two opinion surveys: one of Bangladesh firms, government
officials, and NGOs, and the second survey of non-resident Bangladeshis
Overview
• The factors limiting the growth of Bangladesh in this market
• A reasonable strategy for Bangladesh entry into the ITES market includes a number
of components
• Recommendations for the sector
Study / Research ID: E_M_A
Title External Market Analysis
Month: April
Year: 2002
Authors: Clarissa Dimacali
Sponsor: USAID
Sector / Focus: ITES. An overview of the outsourcing industry, including the offshore
outsourcing market. The opportunities and operational constraints underlining several
ITES segments.
Methodology
Participants in this study included representatives from the GOB Ministry of Science and
Technology (MOST), the Bangladesh Computer Council, private sector associations such
as the Bangladesh Computer Society, Bangladesh Association of Software and
Information Services, several individual ITeS firms, the JOBS project, and USAID.
The group used the following criteria to evaluate the ITeS segments on which
Bangladesh could focus its efforts:
• Competitiveness Potential
 Availability of qualified human resources
 Availability of affordable and reliable technology
 Supportive policy environment, few policy, legal and regulatory barriers
• Economic Impact
 Potential to reduce poverty, including creation of new jobs
 Potential to grow economy through expansion of total Bangladeshi exports

 Potential to modernize portions of the domestic economy through backward
linkages that create opportunity for other firms
• Potential for successful implementation
 Existence of a “champion” or other strong institutional support to undertake
initiatives
 Relative ease of overcoming policy, legal, regulatory and infrastructure barriers
 Availability of government, private sector, or donor resources to support
implementation
The chosen segments (Data Category: Low, Medium or High Tiers) were defined by the
requirements primarily for labor and infrastructure, and the complexity of the process and
the value added.
Overview
This study –
• provided an overview of the outsourcing industry, including the offshore outsourcing
market;
• addressed the various factors involved in the outsourcing decision, including
attributes that determine country and company competitiveness;
• analyzed several ITES segments in which Bangladesh could compete based on the
strength of its current assets that enable the industry, and the severity of constraints
present that inhibit growth.
Study / Research ID: S_EC_BD
Title: Study of e-Commerce in Bangladesh
Month: May
Year: 2005
Authors: Farooq Sobhan (TL), Mridul Chowdhury (ICT Consultant), M. Shafiullah (Prj
Co-ord), Zahid Hossain (Research Faci), Marium Binte Husainy (RA), Shah Imraul
Kaeesh(RA), Shahriar Islam(RA), Shahriar Shafiullah(RA), S.M. Mobasser Hussain(RA)
Sponsor: The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Reported by: Bangladesh Enterprise Institute
Sector/Focus: ITES. The global scenario of e-Commerce in certain key export-oriented
industries and recommendations and action-items for relevant stakeholders for
nation-wide e-Commerce implementation.
Methodology
• Questionnaire-based surveys and face-to-face meetings with representatives from
private companies in the following export oriented industries:
o Ready-made Garments (RMG)
o Pharmaceuticals
o Footwear
o Frozen food

o Handicrafts
• Surveys, meetings and phone conversations with officials at relevant offices under the
Ministry of Commerce and other relevant government offices which are related to
trade, such as Board of Investment (BOI), National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the
Bangladesh Bank.
Overview
• Conceptualization of e-Commerce
• Global trends in e-Commerce
• Current preparedness of the private sector, the government, and the ICT indstry for
e-Commerce in Bangladesh
• Constraints of e-Commerce growth in Bangladesh:
o Limitation in Supportive Legal and Policy Framework
o Low-quality and Expensive Telecommunication Facilities
o Customs and Port Clearance
o Lack of online Payment System
o Lack of Awareness among Businessmen
o Lack of e-Commerce Initiatives by Industry Associations
o Lack of e-Commerce Initiatives by the Government
• Recommendations and action-items for industry associations, individual firms, the
government, and the academia
Category: Human Capacity Development (HCD) / Human Resource
Development (HRD) in the ICT Industry
Study / Research ID: H_C_D
Title: Human Capacity Development (HCD)
Month: April
Year: 2002
Authors: Carl Miller
Sponsor: USAID
Sector/Focus: HCD/HRD. Assessment of human capacity development (HCD) capacity
and existing constraints and proposal of strategies to reduce or eliminate the constraints.
Methodology
Primary Source: Interviews with officials from different software manufacturing firms,
universities, training institutes, and other organizations connected to the ICT industry.
Secondary Source: Data accumulated by the ICT Task Force.

Overview
This research project –
• assessed human capacity development (HCD) capacity and existing constraints
and proposed strategies to reduce or eliminate the constraint;
• provided an overview of the existing HCD and made recommendations.
Study / Research ID: ICT_SGA_PSA
Title: ICT Skills Gap Assessment - Public Sector Assessment
Month: June
Year: 2006
Sponsor: UNDP
Reported by: JOBS-IRIS Bangladesh
Sector/Focus: HCD/HRD. Examination of the current state of the ICT industry regarding
its Human Resources needs and demands.
Methodology
• This assessment took a case-study approach in order to identify a coherent ICT
strategy implemented by another state, which could serve as a potential template for
Bangladesh. Pakistan was chosen as the subject for the case study because of its
marked geographic, demographic, socioeconomic, and technological similarities
with Bangladesh.
• Bangladeshi government officials were contacted to assess their HR staffing
capabilities and needs. A representative from the Ministry of Establishment was
interviewed and provided statistics.
• Information gathered was limited, but did prove useful alongside parallel information
gathered from case studies of other countries.
Overview
• ICT developments in Bangladesh’s government and its ICT HR needs.
• Analysis of Pakistan’s e-government strategy and how it can be used in case of
Bangladesh.
• Recommendations pertaining to Bangladesh’s government HR
• Recommendations Pertaining to the Government
Study / Research ID: ICT_SGA_PS&A
Title: ICT Skills Gap Assessment - Private Sector and Academia
Month: June
Year: 2006
Sponsor: UNDP

Reported by: JOBS-IRIS Bangladesh
Sector/Focus: HCD/HRD. Examination of the current state of the ICT industry regarding
its Human Resources needs and demands.
Methodology
In response to the apparent disconnect between ICT human resources supply and
demand, JOBS/IRIS and UNDP Bangladesh undertook a two part survey on the academic
and private sector human resources environment and skill requirements for Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) in the country.
The intention of these surveys was to:
1. Develop baseline data on the skill sets taught by ICT universities and their graduation
rates – supply side;
2. Develop baseline data on the skill sets and numbers of ICT professionals required by
the private and government sectors – demand side;
3. Determine the nature of any gap between ICT human resources supply and demand
and investigate possible causes;
4. Provide actionable recommendations to close the gap between private
sector/government needs and academic teaching.
• This report relied on surveys, phone interviews, key informant interviews (KIIs) and
focus group discussions (FGDs).
• The survey was sent to a total of twelve educational institutions: six public
universities and six private ones. These institutions produce the majority of the IT
workforce in Bangladesh. Sixty percent of the respondents were located in the Dhaka
metropolitan area, reflecting the fact that the majority of higher education institutions
are situated there.
Overview
• Analysis of the academic environment in terms of its current situation, the skills gap
arising between demand of and supply for IT graduates, graduate statistics, and
technology tracks.
• Analysis of the private sector depicting the growth and trends of the ICT market,
followed by the HR trends.
• Recommendations for collaboration between the academic and private sectors, as
well as further recommendations specific to each sector.
Study / Research ID: SP_HE_BD_06_26
Title: Strategic Plan for Higher Education in Bangladesh: 2006--2026
Month: November
Year: 2006
Authors: Strategic Planning Committee (SPC), University Grants Commission (UGC)
Sponsor: Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, World Bank
Reported by: University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC)
Sector/Focus: Education sector / Higher education focus

Methodology
Mostly secondary data driven. The Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) held several
sessions for brainstorming and idea generation to outline the future of Higher Education
in Bangladesh. The study scope is: (i) draft an overall vision for higher education and to
develop indicative targets for the growth of public and private providers over the next
twenty years; (ii) recommend ways in which the quality of higher education can be
improved in all parts of the public and private sectors; (iii) review the current legislative
framework governing public and private higher education; (iv) recommend options for
developing the strategic direction and overall management of the sector; (v) review the
forecasts for the provision of higher education and identify the options for funding from
all sources; (vi) identify the options for a research strategy for the higher education sector
and suggest ways of enhancing capacity to international standards; and (vii) devise a
strategy for strengthening the capacity of higher education to contribute to the country's
skills in ICT and to use ICT effectively in all its learning and teaching processes.
Overview
This is the Bangladesh Higher Education Strategic Plan for the next 20 years starting
from 2006. Although it covers the overall Higher Education for Bangladesh, but it gives
special emphasis for the ICT in Higher Education. It discusses about the current scenario
for teaching ICT, vision for ICT in higher education, Strategies and Programmes to be
Implemented, Academic Network and Fast Global Connectivity Options, Information
Strategies in each institution, Training and Development of Academic Staff, Role of the
Colleges, & National ICT Funding. The study tries to devise a strategy for strengthening
the capacity of higher education to contribute to the country's skills in ICT and to use ICT
effectively in all its learning and teaching processes.
Study / Research ID: BDD_RY_E_CLP_BD
Title: Bridging Digital Divide for Rural Youth: An Experience from Computer Literacy
Programme in Bangladesh
Month:
Year: 2006
Authors: Ashirul Amin
Sponsor: D.Net (Development Research Network)
Reported by: D.Net (Development Research Network)
Sector/Focus: HCD/HRD. ICT for Development
Methodology
10 CLC-equipped secondary schools were chosen for this study to represent the diversity
characteristics of the schools that host CLCs.
Given the lack of a baseline for the responses of students from the CLP schools, five
non-CLP schools were chosen to understand the attitudes and perceptions of students

who have not been exposed to the CLP, each one adjacent to an existing CLP school and
as similar as possible to them.
Survey questionnaires were created in Bangla for students from CLP schools, students
from non-CLP schools, CLP teachers, head teachers and guardians.
Two focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with the CLP teachers from all the
CLP schools in Mymensingh and Sirajganj.
Overview
Survey was conducted over four classes of people:
Students:
Rural and urban familiarity, development of the skill set, and reaction to computers
among students were compared on both the grounds before and after the course. The
students’ evaluation of the course was also highlighted. The students were also asked
how well they used their training in helping others and whether they have raised
awareness among non-CLP students about the program. Finally, the students were asked
about any limitations and SWOT, they discovered in the training program.
Teachers:
The teachers were asked questions regarding their reaction to computer, its effect on
student behavior, education, and assistance to board exams, the level of enthusiasm about
computers among the students. The survey also included the limitations and the
operational performance of CLC in the eye of the teachers.
Head Teachers:
They commented on the effects of CLC on the quality of teaching, effect on enrollment
and transfer of students and the impact on school reputation. They also made known the
limitation of CLC and their reaction to computers.
Guardians:
The guardians commented on their reaction to computer, its effect on student behavior,
education, how much information their children shared with them regarding CLC, the
limitation of the program, and their familiarity to computers.
Category: ICT Adoption

Study / Research ID: S_EGOV_BD
Title: Study of e-Government in Bangladesh
Date: April, 2004
Authors: Farooq Sobhan, M. Shafiullah, Zahid Hossain, Mridul Chowdhury
Sponsor: The Asia Foundation
Reported by: Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI)
Sector / Focus: Investigate the present state of affairs regarding the introduction of
e-Government and the progress made in this area.
Methodology
• A combination of research tools used in conducting the survey, including
questionnaires, telephone interviews, on-site visits, and face-to-face meetings with
relevant officials and experts.
• The BEI research team visited or interacted with 45 government offices, eight of
which have been selected for in-depth case studies.
• The factors that were taken into account in evaluating e-Government projects include:
(i) ICT Infrastructure, (ii) Government Process Automation, (iii) Citizen/ Business
Services, (iv) Management of e-Government Process, (v) Sustainability of
e-Government Project, and (vi) Championship from the Top.
• The categorization of the selected case studies were as follows:
Category 1: Success Stories: projects which have met desired goals
Category 2: Semi-Success Stories: projects which have mixed experiences
Category 3: Unsuccessful Stories: projects which have failed to meet desired goals
Overview
• Conceptualization of e-Government
o Definition and components of e-Government
o Importance of e-Government for Bangladesh
• Overview of e-Government in Bangladesh
o E-Government at the policy level
o Status of e-Government initiatives in Bangladesh
• Lessons learned from selected case studies
o Success Stories
 Ministry of Religious Affairs: Online Hajj Information Management
 Department of Roads and Highways: MIS for Project Management
and Transparency
 Rajshahi City Corporation: Electronic Birth Registration System
 Bangladesh Bank: Automation of Internal Processes
o Semi-Success Stories
 Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Interactive Website
 Ministry of Science and ICT: Policy Hub for eGovernment
 Parliament Secretariat: Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy
through ICT
o Unsuccessful Stories

 Election Commission Secretariat: The Failed Voter ID Card Project
o Summing Up Lessons Learned
• Recommendations
o Strategic Recommendations
o Specific Action Items
Study / Research ID: P_R_MDG_BD
Title: Peoples’ Report on MDG: Bangladesh
Information and Communication Technology
Date: June 27, 2005
Authors: Dr. Ananya Raihan, Mahmud Hasan
Sector/Focus: ICT Adoption / ICT4D, comments on the Bangladesh Government
initiatives to achieve the UN MDG (Millennium Development Goals)
Methodology
Secondary Research mostly based on the CPD studies in 2001 & 2003.
Overview
This report aspired to link ICT and poverty alleviation and improve the livelihood of the
poor and the disadvantaged through technology. The proper policy development and its
subsequent implementation for integration of ICT with economic and social activities can
make a quantum shift in status of Bangladesh economy. The PMDG for ICT focuses on
building a knowledge society, where access to information is one of the key elements for
poverty alleviation. This peoples’ MDG is based on policy papers prepared by the inclu-
sive stakeholders of ICTs, initiated by Centre for Policy Dialogue in 2001 and 2003.
The PMDG on ICT is guided by three major components of development strategies:
1. Poverty alleviation;
2. Sustainable economic growth; and
3. Empowerment.
The PMDG on ICT covers the following areas:
• Assessment of current scenario
• Identification of problems and issues
• Description of short term [up to two years] and mid-term [up to five years] agenda
• Identification of stakeholders for each agenda and implementation mechanism,
where possible
The PMDG on ICT emphasizes on concrete policy agenda, which are implementable. Al-
though it is very difficult to define implementability of agenda, the PMDG on ICT is
guided by the following principles:
1. Leadership

2. Vision
3. Ownership of the agenda
4. Political Consensus
5. Availability of financial resources
6. Availability of human resources
Study / Research ID: ICT_ITES_NAS
Title: ICT / ITeS Need Assessment Study
Date: November 7, 2005
Sponsor: Swiss Contact
Reported by: AC Nielsen ORG-MARG India
Sector / Focus: ICT Adoption. The usage of ICT and ITeS services by some of the SME
verticals and its implications.
Methodology
A two pronged methodology was adopted for the study comprising:
 Phase I: Depth Interviews – The qualitative issues were addressed through 5 depth
interviews in each of the identified verticals. The qualitative issues were further used
in developing questionnaire for the SME survey.
 Phase II: SME survey – A detailed SME survey was conducted across identified SME
verticals through use of semi-structured questionnaire.
The study comprised of 2 major components:
 Research & Analysis – carried out by ACNielsen, India
 Field Survey – carried out by ACNielsen, Bangladesh
The entire study was executed in close interaction with KATALYST and BASIS officials
with interaction at various stages such as finalizing discussion guide for DI, questionnaire
for SME survey, list of SMEs and suppliers of ICT & ITeS to be contacted for the survey.
• Survey was conducted on different SME verticals which include stores (grocery
stores, book stores, medicine stores, sweet stores, and clothing stores), wholesalers/
distributors, importers and traders, transporters, diagnostic centers, clinics/chamber of
doctors, hotels, restaurants, private schools and colleges.
• The questions in the survey included title of the main respondent, location and
ownership of the establishment, gender and education of owner, number of
employees in the organization, annual turnover, annual sales turnover, revenue
growth goals, number of customers and suppliers dealt, etc.
Overview
• Strengths among suppliers of ICT
• The weaknesses faced by the suppliers

• Key problems faced by suppliers
• Recommendations to the ICT sector
Study / Research ID: SICT_STGG_ICT_BD_EGOV_S
Title: SICT’S Steps towards Good Governance through ICTs: Bangladesh’s
E-Governance Strategy
Date: May 15, 2006
Authors: SASM Taifur (Project Director, SICT Project)
Sponsor: Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Reported by: SICT, Ministry of Planning
Sector / Focus: A compilation of roadmaps for policymakers considering e-Government
in Bangladesh as a mechanism for reform.
Methodology
Objective of this report was to offer concrete guidance to government officials and
others, presenting a comprehensive index of e-government models and resources for
Bangladesh, focused on success stories in Bangladesh and other developing world. This
paper presented a compilation of roadmaps for policymakers considering electronic
government in Bangladesh as a mechanism for reform.
Collected data on all the completed, and ongoing e-Governance Projects coordinated by
SICT.
Overview
This report is arranged as follows:
• Chapter 1 defines the e-Government with benefits, drivers and implementation
phases
• Chapter 2 describes the current status of e-Government in Bangladesh with some
notable e-Government initiatives.
• Chapter 3 describes the SICT.
• Chapter 4 provides the short description of e-Government projects of SICT that
have already been completed.
• Chapter 5 provides the short description of ongoing e-Government projects of
SICT: Introduction; Problems with the existing system; Scope of the project; Ben-
efits to citizens; Improved governance.
• Chapter 6 describes cost estimation/budgeting e-Government projects of SICT
• Chapter 7 describes the five elements of successful e-Government transformation
• Chapter 8 gives the short description of the challenges of e-Government projects
• Chapter 9 provides the recommendation to overcome from the challenges of
e-Government projects
• Chapter 10 lays out the proposed strategy for e-Government in Bangladesh taking
into consideration the current status and the Key Success Factors that have been
identified.

Study / Research ID: ICT4D_SR_1.0
Title: ICT4D Status Report 1.0
Month: October
Year: 2006
Sponsor: Not applicable
Reported by: Ananya Raihan & Suporna Roy of D-net
Hakikur Rahman of SDNP Bangladesh
Munir Hasan & Ragib Hasan of BDOSN & Bangla WikiPedia
AHM Bazlur Rahman & Golam Nabi Jewel of BNNRC
K.A.M Morshed of UNDP Bangladesh
Sector/Focus: ICT Adoption. Localization/open content development, telecentre
movement, access/infrastructure, community radio development and e-Governance in the
context of Bangladesh.
Methodology
The methodology of this report followed a series of communication and information
exchange with different organizations, desk research along with interviews and field level
data collection.
As this was a living document and different chapters were contributed by different lead
organizations, the methodology has been to facilitate this process and to let these
organizations prepare the basic draft, which then again was reviewed by other
individuals/organizations.
Overview
The chapters included:
• Access and infrastructure issues: context Bangladesh
• Community Access Points or Telecentre Movement in Bangladesh
• Community Radio: Ready to Launch in Bangladesh
• E-Governance: Bangladesh Perspective
• Localization and Open Content Development in Bangladesh
Study / Research ID: FR_L_IT
Title: Final Report on the Law of Information Technology
Date: Jan, 2007
Author: Justice A.T.M. Afzal, Justice A.K.M. Sadeque, Justice Naimuddin Ahmed
Sponsor: BASIS
Reported by: Bangladesh Law Commission
Sector/Focus: ICT Adoption. Legal Issues in ICT

Methodology
Secondary Research Driven. References used: UNCITRAL Model Law; (Indian) Infor-
mation Technology Act, 2000; (Singapore) Electronic Transactions Act, 1998.
Overview
In order to facilitate electronic commerce, there was a need for a legal framework and
also for legal changes. In 1996, the United Nations Commission on International Trade
Law (UNCITRAL) adopted Model Law on electronic commerce known as the UNCI-
TRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
This Law Commission report tried to address the following issues:
1) Applicability of the Act;
2) The “Functional Equivalent” approach;
3) Electronic documents and electronic contracts;
4) Electronic governance;
5) Electronic signatures;
6) The technology for electronic signatures;
7) Liability and risk allocation in a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI);
8) Procedural aspects of PKI;
9) Contraventions;
10) Cyber Regulations Appellate Tribunal (CRAT);
11) Information technology offences;
12) Investigation, search and seizure;
13) Limited liability of Network Services Providers;
14) Cyber Regulations Advisory Committee;
15) Amendment/ repeal, etc., of related enactments.
Category: Telecom Infrastructure
Study / Research ID: BT_B
Title: Bangladesh Telecom Brief
Month: April
Year: 2004
Authors: Ken Zita
Sponsor: Network Dynamics Associates LLC
Reported by: USTDA South Asia Communications Infrastructure Conference, New
Delhi, India – April 21-23, 2004
Sector/Focus: Brief overview of the changes, features, and the players in the Bangladesh
telecom sector.
Methodology
Desk study based Article writing approach.
Overview
• A brief timeline of the changes occurring in the telecom sector is provided.

• Several significant initiatives have been initiated by BTRC which are discussed in
details.
• Features of the Bangladesh telecom market.
• An overview of the players in the telecom sector.
Study / Research ID: CAP_TM_BD
Title: Community Access Point or Telecentre Movement in Bangladesh
Month: November
Year: 2006
Authors: Dr. Ananya Raihan, Suporna Roy
Sector/Focus: A brief presentation of the current telecentre initiatives
Methodology
Status Reporting approach.
Overview
The telecentre movement started in August 2006 and it had the following programs or
institutions working for its success:
• Gonokendra: Centre for Community Development
• Amader Gram Learning Centre (AGLC): Community Database for Development
• Internet Learning Centre: School Based Telecentre
• Youth Community Multimedia Centre (YCMC)
• RTC (Rural Technology Centre)
• GHAT: Rural ICT centre (RIC)
• Community Information Centre (CIC): A Profit-oriented Model
• ‘Pallitathya Kendra’: Focusing Access to Information for Poverty Alleviation
Findings from the ICT studies
Baseline Survey on IT Sector of Bangladesh (BCS, Nov 2000)
This baseline survey collected data on 4 types of ICT companies in Bangladesh. These
are: 1. Hardware companies, 2. Software companies, 3. ISP companies, 4. ICT Education
& Training companies. It found some interesting trends of companies being setup in

Bangladesh since 1984. A large concentration of new ICT ventures appeared during 1997
– 2000 period in Bangladesh, linking to the ICT boom in the global market. The market
size, HR growth, annual turnovers are also mentioned in this survey report. It is observed
that software development and IT training business were on the rise at that time period.
Bangladesh in the New Millennium “An IT Power House”: Recommendation to the
Government of Bangladesh (AABEA Silicon Valley Chapter, SBIT2000 Conference
Follow-up Committee, 2001)
AABEA SV would like to help in whatever way the esteemed Bangladesh government
deems appropriate in these targeted tasks. Here’s a summary of the recommendations in
five areas.
Resource Development & Planning:
• Establish concrete result-oriented guidelines governing current commercial IT
courses
• Develop educational programs focused towards market needs with up-to-date
curriculum
• Set up resources for industry best practices such as quality certification and
project management
• Commission government IT projects to give local developers valuable experience
• Establish Industry partnerships for academic offerings and co-op programs
• Teacher training and utilizing NRBs for technology training
Focused Team:
• Set targets for exporting IT professionals and revenue goals for out-sourced
software development
• Set up a dedicated team consisting of members from the Govt., RB and NRB
• Set up a dedicated IT ministry
Infrastructure:
• Partner with industry giants such as CISCO, AT&T to build infrastructure and
software technology parks attractive to customers
• Extend the opportunities of IT to the masses by building publicly available IT
resource centers
• Improve communication infrastructure directly connecting to the Internet
• Strive for over-all socio-political and bureaucratic improvements to attract and
retain overseas high-tech investment
• Deregulate Telecommunications
Business Promotion & Marketing:
• Establish Silicon Valley and overseas presence to lobby multinationals to invest
in Bangladesh

• Promote our capabilities by creating appropriate marketing materials and a strong
web presence
• Guide Bangladeshi companies to pool their resources in expensive overseas sales
and marketing efforts
• Conduct Business conferences, seminars and industry summits in appropriate
areas
• Partner with globally renowned consulting houses to build reputation
Funding:
• Fund education initiatives by hiring teachers from overseas, education funding &
student loans
• Provide rewards and recognition for NRBs who bring their company business to
Bangladesh
Policy Brief on "Information and Communication Technology"
• The regional forum has provided substantial number of suggestions to be
incorporated in the policy brief.
• As a whole the regional consultation was very successful and majority of the
suggestions were very much thoughtful and reflect the peoples’ perspective.
• Along with the system component wise discussion the regional consultation revealed
several other issues, which also deserve attention.
• The regional consultation revealed concern about the political commitment and steps
to make the parliament center of all political and economic activities.
• In certain issues detailed policy agenda have been formulated.
BD ICT Policy Review Report 2003
Recommendations addressed by the Government
Policy Area No. of
Recommendations
No. of
Recommendations
Addressed
Information Infrastructure 81 9
Human Resource Development 43 2
ICT Economy 46 7
Acceleration of Poverty Alleviation
through ICT
11 0
ICT and Government 21 3
Others 10 0
Total 210 22

Share (Per cent) 100 10.48
ICT Sub Sector Study in Bangladesh (JOBS IRIS, 2005)
• Despite the constraints Bangladesh faces in adopting ICT, many partners including
USAID, under the JOBS Project, have been able to provide state-of-the-art practical
support in the areas of policy (e-policy), governance (e-governance), trade
(e-commerce) and human resource development (e-HRD).
• The introduction of a comprehensive, ICT-focused, educational campaign would
make it possible for the country to become a source of high value, skilled ICT
workers, boosting the remittance levels, and offering opportunities to untold numbers
of Bangladeshi citizens.
• According to the “The Global Information Technology Report 2004-2005”
Bangladesh is ranked 100 out of 104 countries on network readiness.
Category: Software Industry
Export of Computer Software from Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects (JRC
Study, September 1997)
Some of the advantages that Bangladesh possesses as a potential offshore client are:
• A substantial size of educated and easily trainable unemployed youth force, with
ability to read and write English.
• The skilled NRBs can be encouraged to return back to the country and/or
collaborate with Bangladeshi entrepreneurs.
• Increasing number of graduates in Computer related subjects.
• A large number of overseas Bangladeshi students studying in Computer related
subjects.
• Availability of a wide range of Hardware platforms.
• Reasonable skills exist in different operating systems, programming languages,
and RDBMS.
• Bangladesh offers a very attractive low wage level.
Bangladesh Software Industry Survey Report- 2004 (JETRO)
SWOT Analysis Software Industry:
Strength

• Presence of skilled workforce
• Cost value proposition
• Convenient time gap between Japan and ours
• Government incentives in terms of Tax and other benefits
Weakness
• Inappropriate governing laws and legislations
• Lack of proper exposure to international markets
• Infrastructure issues (Electricity, Telecommunication etc.)
Opportunity
• More and more firms are outsourcing their ICT related functions to companies
in South East Asia
• With the ever increasing development of the global ICT sector demand for
ICT services is always present
• Untapped market in terms of supply perspective
• People are more willing to learn English / Japanese / French Languages
• Enthusiastic, young and energetic university graduates are willing to learn and
they work hard for better future.
• Collaboration of NRBs with Bangladeshi entrepreneurs
Threat
• Neighbor nations are capturing our share of the international market of the
outsourced services.
• Competition is no longer restricted to any particular zone, but taking place at a
global scale.
• Our skill personnel base face redundancy in the face of the ever developing
ICT services.
Bangladesh Software Industry & its Dynamics (BASIS, 2005)
Though in terms of market size, the software sector does not feature along with the top
few sectors of our economy, but because of the strategic importance of this sector in
national development, this industry has always been regarded as one of the priority
sectors of the economy. However, till now the sector’s potential has not been utilized to
its fullest capacity. The country’s software industry has conceivably reached a level
where it is prepared to provide important value to other sectors by making them more
efficient and more productive. It is now up to those sectors to bank on the value
enhancing opportunities created and offered by the software industry. Only then this
industry can redeem itself for the development of the nation.

Category: ITES Industry
Elements of a National Strategy for Development of an Information Technology
Enabled Services Sector in Bangladesh (CARANA Corporation, Apr 2002)
• The factors limiting the growth of Bangladesh in this market include:
 The high costs of telecommunications
 The small domestic market for IT related services also limits training and
experience of local workers in order to gain expertise in higher value-added ITES.
 The need to build overseas awareness of Bangladesh as a potential ITES provider
 Lack of confidence among potential buyers about the ability of Bangladesh firms
to deliver a high quality product
• A reasonable strategy for Bangladesh entry into the ITES market includes a
number of components:
 Target segments of the industry where Bangladesh has a comparative advantage,
but remain flexible in the search for growth prospects.
 Improve the deficiencies of the Bangladesh IT industry to make it more
competitive.
 Market the sector well to overcome the unfamiliarity of the market with
Bangladesh products.
• Recommendations for the sector involve
 building the productive capacity of the local IT industry,
 reducing costs and improving efficiency,
 creating an environment favorable to entering this sector, and
 marketing the potential contributions of Bangladesh IT firms.
The report also specifies the people and the institutions who/which can enforce these
recommendations and the results that we can expect from doing so.
External Market Analysis (CARANA Corporation, 2002)
• Bangladesh meets just the Basic Requirements in terms of telecommunications
infrastructure, labor costs, and government policies.
• Low labor costs and the supply of semi-skilled, production-oriented labor are key
advantages for Bangladesh.
• Opportunities also exist in niche geographic areas such as the European market.
• Constraints facing the Bangladeshi firms include the high costs of
telecommunications, the small domestic market for IT related services also limits
training and experience of local workers in order to gain expertise in higher
value-added ITES, and the lack of awareness and/or negative image of Bangladesh as
a country.

Study of e-Commerce in Bangladesh (BEI, May’05)
• Vast scope for development in the B2B sector.
• E-mail has become prevalent among many export-oriented companies, while quite a
few have also implemented customized software for internal business process
automation to facilitate trade.
• Over the last 5 years, several B2C portals have been launched in Bangladesh, mostly
targeting expatriate Bangladeshis.
Category: HCD/HRD for ICT
Human Capacity Development (HCD) (CARANA Corporation, 2002)
• Positive developments:
 ICT task force in conjunction with private sector defining skill sets required,
enrolment numbers and projected demand in conjunction
 Private sector making recommendations on required curriculum
 Some minimal internships / co-operative education opportunities supported by
private sector
 Training institutions offering international vendor certification courses
 Some franchise training institutes providing internationally recognized
curriculum, some ISO9000 certified (caveat concerning quality of instructors)
 Private sector providing on the job training (OJT) in line with their needs
 TechBangla facilitating NRB train the trainer sessions
• The major constraints to HCD growth in the targeted areas (lower and mid range
skill level) are:
 Lack of qualified instructors
 Inadequate telecommunications infrastructure for high teledensity and internet
accessibility to build basic computer literacy and distance learning applications
 Need for improvement in computer labs and other educational infrastructure
(broadband internet applications etc.)
 Primary/secondary education programs for future generations.
• Recommendations were proposed that can be implemented in the short term and the
long term. It was also mentioned that who will be participating in the implementation
process and what the probable consequences are.

ICT Skills Gap Assessment - Public Sector Assessment (JOBS IRIS, 2006)
• There is a gap between the skills of graduates in the ICT field and the skills in
demand in the private sector. The government of Bangladesh is not currently
employing significant numbers of ICT professionals.
• The government lacks an ICT career track within its ranks, and ICT professionals
within the government have little capacity for upward mobility, salary increases and
other advancement opportunities comparable to those within other career tracks.
• e-government services that are being developed at the divisional, district or upazila
level are stand-alone projects which are not integrated into a cohesive national
system.
• Virtually all the e-Government projects suffer from inadequate advisory,
management and maintenance support. In view of this, the Government should give
high priority to establishing a unit within or outside government that will provide
these services and they will have to be paid salaries higher than the typical
government rate.
• Based on the case study of Pakistan and on its analysis of the current state of affairs
in Bangladesh’s ICT development, JOBS-IRIS Bangladesh made the following
recommendations:
Recommendations pertaining to Bangladesh’s government HR:
1. Execute an intensive study to determine the status of ICT in all branches of
government
2. Develop a centralized platform to coordinate ICT-related activities, and introduce an
attractive ICT career track
3. Create an autonomous decision-making body within the Support to the ICT
Task Force Program Project (SICT).
Recommendations Pertaining to the Government
1. Establish a comprehensive e-government strategy
2. Promote top-level championship
3. Place more priority on training needs and content
a. Review and update basic IT training courses for new entry civil servants
b. Build up capacity at the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) to ensure it has
the capability to offer more advanced, customized training.
ICT Skills Gap Assessment - Private Sector and Academia (JOBS IRIS, 2006)
• There is the continued necessity of a highly skilled human resource pool in
Bangladesh’s ICT sector. Skilled human resources are currently in high demand and
short supply. ICT graduates are not gaining the skills required by the private sector,
and due to the rapid growth and changing nature of the sector, this disparity will
increase further in the future.

• If academia and the private sector synchronize their efforts and each play a role in
minimizing the gap between them, leveraging their core competencies as partners,
they can produce the necessary skilled, internationally-competitive ICT workforce,
which can in turn sustain and expedite economic growth.
Strategic Plan for Higher Education in Bangladesh: 2006--2026 (UGC, Nov 2006)
A country-wide survey was conducted in July-August, 2005 to assess the ICT Higher
Education among Private Universities, Public Universities, Private Colleges operating
under National University, Public Colleges operating under National University. Out of
53 Universities, 39 were offering ICT degrees. Among private colleges, 20 colleges have
permissions for offering ICT degrees, but they can not offer the courses due lack of
students. 4 Public universities only offer Ph.D. degrees, but 92% colleges offer
Bachelor’s degree under the National University. 38 Private universities offering ICT
degrees have Internet out of the 39. The university websites are not regularly updated.
Major lacking in project works before getting a degree among most of the Private
Universities.
Bridging Digital Divide for Rural Youth: An Experience from Computer Literacy
Programme in Bangladesh (D-Net, 2006)
The findings and the conclusions based on the survey were listed under the 4 classes:
students, teachers, head teachers, and guardians.
Based on the findings of this assessment, suggestions made by various stakeholders
involved in various facets of planning, managing and running the CLP, and the
implications of the findings themselves, various recommendations were made.
This study provided us some basic understandings, and is more of a baseline from which
we can go further to ask more relevant and penetrating questions to gauge the
performance of the CLP. The 14 recommendations and 10 future work suggestions may
contribute positively to the further development of the program.
Category: ICT Adoption
Study of e-Government in Bangladesh, (BEI, April 2004)
• Top-level political will and bureaucratic commitment is the single most important
factor that has tipped the balance toward success or failure.
• Resources should not be wasted on projects that lack necessary ownership and
commitment among relevant senior-level officials.
• Future initiatives should focus on identifying and supporting self-selecting
e-Government champions, rather than imposing or artificially injecting projects at the
instance of external institutions, including donor agencies.

• The most successful projects are those that have emphasized the development of
usable and practical software applications to automate internal government processes
and to provide services more effectively using ICT systems.
• The Government of Bangladesh should take steps to ensure that ICT is purchased in
"packages" that include application/software development, hardware,
networking/connectivity, capacity building, change management for users, and the
process and procedural changes that must accompany a new system.
• The Government of Bangladesh does not have the necessary support structure to
manage and maintain ICT systems in government. As an interim solution, the
Government should give high priority to establishing a unit within or outside
government to provide advisory, management, and maintenance support services and
allocate sufficient funds for them to carry out these functions.
• Another significant limitation to the current system of making ICT-related policies,
priorities, and strategies is that these functions are relatively centralized.
• For sustainability and strategic planning of e-Government, it is essential for the
Government to establish partnerships with the private sector.
Peoples’ Report on MDG: Bangladesh (D.Net, June 2005)
For developing a set of policy agenda a system approach has been applied and a frame-
work has been proposed for elaboration of individual components to address thereby. In
the proposed framework, national information infrastructure [NII] should be considered
as basic infrastructure to bring dynamism and competitive advantage in all sectors of the
economy as well as to harvest long run benefit through quality education and healthy na-
tion building process. The components of the ICT based economic development frame-
work which are stemmed from the development of the NII are:
• Human Resource Development: ICT education, ICT training, and ICT based edu-
cation;
• ICT based economy: ICT industry with its export potential, business process
reengineering through ICT, human resource development for business automa-
tion, and ecommerce;
• Acceleration of poverty alleviation through ICT;
• Universalization of quality health care services through ICT;
• Financial and Payment Infrastructure: automation of financial institutions, ICT
based financial products, and financing ICT industry;
• Legal infrastructure of the NII;
• Efficiency of the Government: access to government information, efficiency of
government agencies, improvement of transparency of the government, online
government services;
• Digital empowerment of women;
• Resource allocation and fiscal measures; and
• Intuitional framework for coordination of development of the NII.

ICT / ITeS Need Assessment Study (AC Nielsen, Nov 2005)
• Strengths among suppliers of ICT include: strong sales and service, competitive
pricing and providing training / maintenance / upgradation services free of cost,
customer relation, domain expertise and project management.
• The weaknesses faced by the suppliers include: lack of marketing efforts or quality
of marketing efforts with available marketing team, difficulty in getting financial
support, and lack of negotiation skills.
• Key problems faced by suppliers:
 Receipt of payment
 Financial support from investors
 Getting skilled manpower for marketing
 Competition from individual ICT providers
 Scattered market, so don’t know whom to contact
 Changing scope due to customers not being clear about their needs
 Unfair needs by the customers (like customized s/w at Tk.10,000)
 Customers cannot compare product and pricing due to limited or low knowledge
• Recommendations:
 Awareness needs to be created among customers about ICT and the benefits one
can achieve from investment in ICT.
 Improved payment mechanism which requires financial support for suppliers.
 HR support is required to suppliers for getting right kind of sales staff.
 Suppliers should offer complete software solution to the SMEs rather than
providing individual software.
 Curb on practices of individual suppliers or rather form a consortium by such
suppliers.
SICT’S Steps towards Good Governance through ICTs: Bangladesh’s
E-Governance Strategy (SICT, 15 May 2006)
Goals/Objectives Action Taken
Organizations
Responsible
National Policy for
e-Governance
- SICT has been formed under
Planning Division
- MoSICT has included e-Governance
in National ICT Policy
1) ICT Task Force
2) MoSICT
3) BCC
4) Planning Division
Legal Framework
- Copyright/ IPR laws
- ICT Act
- ICT Act in process of being
approved
1) MoLaw
2) MoSICT
3) BCC
Training/ Awareness
Creation/ Motivation of
- BCC provides advisory services for
computerization in govt. offices
1) PACC
2) PATC

Organizations
Responsible
Government Officials - BCC provides training to
government officials, citizens at six
divisional Headquarters
- SICT organizes informal
e-Government awareness sessions
- BCC is the process of setting up
BKIICT
- BCC is undertaking ranking of
private training institutes
- Planning Commission has seven
training labs
3) MoSICT
5) All other
ministries
ICT Infrastructure in
Government
- MoSICT has proposed a project to
provide computers, IT human resource
and broadband to 38 ministries
- SICT has taken up e-Governance
projects in 10 ministries
- PMO has established its own VSAT
communication facility
- BCC has established its own VSAT
and has provided broadband Internet
to government, private and incubation
center
- Planning Division has linked PMO,
Finance Division and Planning
Commission and 6 other ministries
- Many ministries have individual
projects
1) MoSICT
2) MoPT
Use of ICT in
Government
- Some government institutions have
taken e-Government initiatives to
automate processes and work flows
- SICT is in the process of
implementing pilot e-Government
projects in several government
institutions
1) All ministries
Maintenance of IT
Systems in Government
- Some government agencies have
permanent IT HR
- MoSICT has proposed a project for
creation of a central pool of ICT
professionals
- SICT is in the process of creating of
CeGI - a central maintenance unit
- BCC has taken an internship program
for computer science graduates
All ministries

Organizations
Responsible
Funding/ Sustainability
of e-Government
- National ICT Policy mentions 2% of
ADP for IT, but it is not implemented
yet
1) MoFinance
2) MoPlanning
3) All ministries
ICT Infrastructure across
the Country
- Link with Submarine Cable to be
established by mid-2005
- DDN will connect entire country
- All analog systems have been
converted to digital
- VoIP has been legalized in principle
- VSAT license fee has been reduced
- Cost for international telephone calls
has been reduced dramatically
- BCC has distributed computers and
accessories to more than a thousand
schools across the country, including
training of teachers
1) MoPT
2) BTRC
ICT Standardization
Issues
- Bangla Keyboard has been
standardized by BCC
- BCC has taken a program for
registration and ranking of all private
training institutes
- BCC has proposed a program for
ranking of all software companies
1) MoSICT
2) BSTI
Public Access to ICT - ICT Act to be passed in Parliament
soon
- Cyber cafes are available in all major
towns
- BTTB to introduce GSM to lower
cost
- Fixed line telephone have been
opened up for private investment
All ministries
ICT4D Status Report 1.0 (D-Net, 2006)
Despite huge growth of inter-regional Internet bandwidth in Asia (6% in 1999 to 35% in
2005), Bangladesh falls under low access criteria with 0.18 point at the Digital Access
Index 2002. Enactment of National Telecommunications Policy in March 1998 and
Bangladesh Telecommunications Act in 2001, establishment of Bangladesh
Telecommunication Regulatory Commission established in January 2002, introduction of
National ICT Policy in October 2002 and ICT Act in 2003, and very recent legalization

of VoIP, however, are several milestones of the nation that improvises along the access
and infrastructure management from a very rudimentary stage.
Much to be done to upgrade the access index from 0.336, connectivity index from 0.010
and ICT diffusion index from 0.173, where Bangladesh stands at 171 out of 180
countries. Staying at 164 in 1997, 1998 and 1999 though the ranking was slightly
improved in 2000 at 163, but it declined at 171 in 2001 and stayed there till 2004.
Enactment of ICT Policy and Act are not necessarily brings sufficient preconditions for
ICT access and infrastructure development at the grass roots. Kenya is an example. They
couldn’t attain at any satisfactory level, despite introduction of ICT policies at the
national level. Rather, subsequent interventions at the bottom level with prescribed action
programmes are desirable to achieve real success. India is reshuffling its ICT policies
since 2005 to reach out the common mass. Singapore, Japan and South Korea in this
region are the leaders in achieving success in implementing strategic ICT initiatives at all
levels. In recent years, Vietnam is taking off. To offer real benefit of ICT to the
under-privileged communities, short-medium-longer term action based target-oriented
initiatives need to be put on the table. Time is not far away when current sub-marine link
will be absorbed by the domestic requirement, and the nation should not be put into wait
for another decade to find another link to the outer world.
Final Report on the Law of Information Technology (The Law Commission)
The Bangladesh Law Commission proposes the short title, as following:
“1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the
Information Technology (Electronic Transaction) Act, 20---------- .
(2) It shall extend to the whole of Bangladesh and, save as otherwise expressly provided
in this Act, also to any offence or contravention thereunder committed outside
Bangladesh by any person.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, appoint.
“2. Application. - (1) Nothing in this Act shall apply to-
(a) a negotiable instrument as defined in section 13 of the Negotiable Instruments Act,
1881 (Act No. XXVI of 1881);
(b) the creation, performance or enforcement of a power of attorney;
(c) a trust as defined in section 3 of the Trusts Act, 1882 (Act No. II of 1882);
(d) a will as defined in clause (h) of section 2 of the Succession Act, 1925 (Act No.
XXXIX of 1925) and any other testamentary disposition by whatever name called;
(e) any contract for the sale or other disposition of immovable property, or any interest in
such property;
(f) the conveyance of immovable property or the transfer of any interest in immovable
property; and
(g) title-deeds of immovable property;

(2) The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, modify the provisions
of sub-section (1) of this section by adding, deleting or amending any class of transac-
tions or matters.”
Category: Telecom Infrastructure
Bangladesh Telecom Brief (USTDA South Asia Communications Infrastructure
Conference, Apr 2004)
• There does not appear to be a clear, long-term strategy for sector development that is
supported by the central government.
• Industry reform proposals appear to be subject to changes in the political tide
• A significant portion of the existing telephone network is comprised of vintage
switches and aging copper transmission facilities in desperate need of replacement.
• Today in Bangladesh it is estimated that more homes are connected with Cable TV
than telephones. Cable networks are however typically low-tech, broadcast-only
neighborhood systems.
Community Access Point or Telecentre Movement in Bangladesh (D.net, Nov’06)
The telecentres in Bangladesh are faced with some constraints/challenges:
• Technical constraints and sustainability
• Reliable connectivity
• Secured infrastructure
• Access to information services
Building a telecentre network is important for a number of reasons.
Overall Comments
• Baseline Survey on IT Sector of Bangladesh (BCS, Nov 2000) – It was a
pioneering study on the IT sector as a whole. There was a great need for such
surveillance on the industry and this study was a praiseworthy attempt. The sad truth

is that the inclusion of this study is not observed in other subsequent studies, which
shows the lack of follow up studies on the Bangladesh ICT industry.
• Bangladesh in the New Millennium “An IT Power House”: Recommendation to
the Government of Bangladesh (AABEA Silicon Valley Chapter, SBIT2000
Conference Follow-up Committee, 2001) – This recommendation report has been
prepared after a meeting held between the AABEA -SVC representatives, SBIT
organizers and delegates from Bangladesh at Silicon Valley, the heart of the world's
technological universe. This was a work of some very talented and highly spirited
NRBs trying to help the country. The report was very qualitative in nature and it
lacked objective facts and pragmatic projections about the future of the Bangladesh
ICT Industry. But it could serve as a good historical reference as an output of some
highly inspirational sessions of some very accomplished and emotional Bangladeshis.
• Policy Brief on "Information and Communication Technology" (CPD Task
Force, Aug 2001) - CPD showed its research muscle in this quite comprehensive
study report. Although quite a number of policy items looked very broad (“blue-sky”
type), but it was the artifact of some very talented and motivated people. The action
agenda items were mostly items of wishful thinking, which were not supported by
ground research data. We hoped to see some thoroughly researched data on the
Bangladesh ICT Industry as the rationale / backdrop of those policy suggestions. The
report could also take the BCS Baseline Study 2000 into account and could accept or
challenge some of their data or findings.
• BD ICT Policy Review Report 2003 (CPD Task Force, Jan 2003) - This review
report looked very thorough and quite professional. It clearly mentioned the prior
policies designed by the earlier CPD task force in 2001 and tried to track each item
with the 2003 timeline. This sort of surveillance is very important for our ICT
Industry. The re-categorization of the earlier 210 action items was very essential. But
we did not find their adopted criterion for the broad categorization. We also expected
to see more follow-up studies (almost yearly) after this 2003 report!
• ICT Sub Sector Study in Bangladesh (JOBS IRIS, 2005) – It can be regarded as a
follow-up to the 2 seminars conducted in 2001 and 2002. This report also assisted the
reader by commenting that e-HRD is the topic that requires our attention.
Category: Software Industry:
• Export of Computer Software from Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects (JRC
Study, September 1997) – The committee did some traveling abroad, had a number
of meetings with people related to the software industry, and studied various
publications. This translated to them having received a comprehensive perspective on
this industry both home and abroad. This was a milestone research in our ICT
industry, which created BASIS, and some other good things like Govt Tax Holiday,
ICT Intern scholarships, etc. Subsequent research could carry forward the analysis
and findings from this seminal research.

• Bangladesh Software Industry Survey Report 2004 (JETRO) – The report
provided us with a lot of data about the industry trend. But there were some dilemma
about the findings:
(i) The respondents were highly reluctant to provide the data regarding annual
turnover, sales and employee compensation. Thus the accuracy of those figures
is questionable.
(ii) The research recommendations were too generic.
The survey should have included an FGD to gather more valuable information from
the entrepreneurs themselves. Because the respondents may not feel comfortable
enough to answer to the enumerators or the respondents may not have taken the
survey very seriously. On the other hand, the enumerators may not have recorded the
results in the most accurate manner.
• Bangladesh Software Industry & its Dynamics (BASIS, 2005) - This summary
report serves as a good snapshot of our software industry. We think the data needs to
be updated regularly to make it as current as possible. Products / Service category
range statistics need some thorough review and solid research challenges for the
betterment of our software industry.
Category: ITES:
• Elements of a National Strategy for Development of an Information Technology
Enabled Services Sector in Bangladesh (CARANA Corporation, Apr 2002) – It
was thoughtful of CARANA Corporation to survey the NRBs who could contribute
well to the growth of the Bangladeshi IT industry. There was statistically significant
respondent population for the surveys which makes the study extensive and useful.
The success story of Philippines was used as a case study approach and it served as a
standard.
• External Market Analysis (CARANA Corporation, 2002) – The study was
conducted well. All the important topics regarding ITES were covered. But there
could also have been a survey of the offshore importers of ITeS. Thus we could have
better known about the actual needs, rather than depending on our subjective
judgments.
• Study of e-Commerce in Bangladesh (BEI, May’05) – The study was successful in
clearly explaining e-Commerce to the reader. It focused on only 5 significant export
oriented sectors in Bangladesh and did not consider the remaining sectors. The
reasons for exclusion was not clearly mentioned or not very convincing. The
recommendations and action items were modeled around international studies, but
were not implemented in due time.

Category: HCD / HRD:
• Human Capacity Development (HCD) (CARANA Corporation, 2002) – A major
portion of the report was based on subjective judgment rather than hard data. The
survey should have included a questionnaire, with option left for recording some facts
and figures.
• ICT Skills Gap Assessment - Public Sector Assessment (JOBS IRIS, 2006) – It
was a good idea of taking the case study approach in order to identify a coherent ICT
strategy. It helped us to predict the implications of our potential actions. Even though
interviews took place with the Bangladeshi government officials and various other
case studies were consulted, the report lacked a comprehensive field study on the
trainers or the training institutions.
• ICT Skills Gap Assessment - Private Sector and Academia (JOBS IRIS, 2006)- It
was a very well conducted and comprehensive survey, with the respondents covering
a great portion of the ICT student population. Different communication options were
used to ensure effective fact finding from the respondents and generating ideas in
different sessions.
• Bridging Digital Divide for Rural Youth: An Experience from Computer
Literacy Programme in Bangladesh (D-Net, 2006) – D-Net took to themselves to
survey non-CLP schools because there was no baseline to judge the CLP schools.
Thus they ensured that their judgments were not made out of thin air. They conducted
FGDs with teachers which was a more feasible option than doing FGD with the
students or their guardians.
• Strategic Plan for Higher Education in Bangladesh: 2006-2026 – This study is
supposed to be the strategic paper for the next 20 years Higher Education roadmap in
Bangladesh. Although an overall vision for higher education and some indicative
targets were developed, but the study still lacks the rigor to become an effective
Strategic Plan for next 20 years in Bangladesh. As we know, any effective strategy
needs to be based on the concrete Organizational Capacity, and needs to have clear
mapping between the Core Competence / Synergies, Structural Positioning, Process
Execution, Competitive Advantage and finally the Economic / Financial Benefits. We
could not find any evidence where all these parameters were met in this Strategic Plan
for Higher Education in Bangladesh. It is very essential to devise a strategy for
strengthening the capacity of higher education to contribute to the country's skills in
ICT and to use ICT effectively in all its learning and teaching processes for our global
competence. This study touched upon this issue mostly giving some wishes and
objectives.
Category: ICT Adoption:

• Study of e-Government in Bangladesh, (BEI, April 2004) – This study explored 8
e-Governance projects in Bangladesh. It took e-Governance projects from successful,
semi-successful, and failure cases. We found this approach quite useful to assess the
e-Governance status in Bangladesh. This study gave high importance on the “Lessons
Learned” from each case. Thus even the semi-successful and failure cases become
very important and pertinent sources of learning to implement e-Governance
successfully in Bangladesh.
• SICT’S Steps towards Good Governance through ICTs: Bangladesh’s
E-Governance Strategy (SICT, 15 May 2006) – It was a very comprehensive study
on the e-Government status in Bangladesh based on the e-Governance projects
carried out under the SICT project. There were 55 case studies consulted. This gave
us a wider view of the challenges faced by e-Governance in Bangladesh and the
benefits that can arise from it. The study should have provided more real life
examples when pointing out the challenges faced by the different entities of
e-Government.
• Peoples’ Report on MDG: Bangladesh (D.Net, June 2005) – A quite critical
analysis on the Government’s MDG implementations. Discovered some “reverse
logic” in Governments’ arguments for the lack of implementations of several stated
MDGs. Also discovered flaws in the overall ICT topics in the MDG and different
non-contextual parameters like Teledensity & other ICT indexes from our country &
people perspective.
• ICT / ITeS Need Assessment Study (AC Nielsen, 2005) – ACNielsen took a
commendable approach in preparing this report. Their depth interviews served in
making it possible for the SME survey to be valuable. The respondent population
accounted for nearly all the SME verticals in the economy. Thus this report covered
almost all economic sectors in judging their ICT / ITES needs.
• ICT4D Status Report 1.0 (D-Net, 2006) – This report was an effort to check our
ICT status for the country’s overall development. Different expert authors made
different chapters who have been working on their relevant areas. This was a
quasi-objective report. Authors reporting their own actions may have biased the facts
often subconsciously!
• Final Report on the Law of Information Technology (The Law Commission) – A
good attempt to formulate the ICT act in Bangladesh. Good review on the
UNCITRAL Model law, and also the (Indian) Information Technology Act, 2000; the
(Singapore) Electronic Transactions Act, 1998. We hoped to see some phased
implementation plan in this very important report. The PKI & related technology &
admin issues also needed to be clearly spelled out in this document.

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