Cross-Border e-Commerce: Taskforce to Boost Global E-Commerce
Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Raihan Asif Asad has announced the formation of a special taskforce within the next seven days to effectively connect Bangladesh’s e-commerce sector with the global market. He said that swift, coordinated actions involving both public and private sectors will be taken to strengthen the country’s cross-border e-commerce.
He made the announcement as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Cross-Border E-commerce: Opportunities and Challenges,” held on Wednesday (May 6) at the conference room on the fourth floor of the ICT Building in the capital, organized by the ICT Division. The session was chaired by ICT Division Secretary Kazi Anowar Hossain.
Addressing the seminar, Raihan Asif Asad said, “After the ready-made garments industry, corporate e-commerce could become Bangladesh’s next major export sector. To achieve this, international-standard logistics systems, simplified customs processes, and uninterrupted digital payment infrastructure must be ensured.”
He further noted that an integrated ecosystem must be developed to connect hundreds of thousands of small and medium entrepreneurs to international markets. In this regard, he instructed stakeholders to identify the key challenges facing the sector and submit them to his office within the next seven days. Based on these recommendations, the taskforce will determine necessary actions promptly.
Raihan Asif Asad added that the Prime Minister places significant importance on the e-commerce sector, particularly prioritizing effective integration with the postal department. He also revealed that, under the initiative of Bangladesh Bank, there are plans to introduce a “single payment ID” and a unified digital payment system based on Bangla QR codes, which are expected to resolve many existing complexities in the sector.
In his remarks as chair, ICT Division Secretary Kazi Anowar Hossain emphasized that policy coordination and enhanced technological capacity are now essential for the growth of digital commerce. He stressed the need for effective coordination among all relevant institutions.
During the discussion, the Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, an Additional Secretary from the Ministry of Commerce, the Director General of the Department of Posts, the Executive Director of the Bangladesh Computer Council, and the President of the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh highlighted various policy and technological aspects of the sector.
Representatives from the private sector—including the Chief Commercial Officer of bKash, the Managing Director of SSL Wireless, the Director of Corporate Affairs at Daraz Bangladesh, the Chief Executive Officer of ShopUp, the Chief Operating Officer of Chaldal, and the Country Manager of DHL Bangladesh—shared their views on existing barriers to cross-border trade.
Additionally, participants included the Head of E-commerce of PRAN-RFL Group, the Managing Director of Jewel Trading Corporation, Alibaba’s representative in Bangladesh, the Chairman of Life Plus, the Founder of Khaas Food, the Managing Director of e-Farmers Bangladesh Limited, the Chief Executive Officer of Cloud Seven Bangladesh, the Founder of Agami Fintech, the Director of MoveOn Technologies, representatives from Labaid Group, Naureen Mirror, and the Head of Operations of C-Express.
Entrepreneurs highlighted key challenges such as weaknesses in international logistics systems, high costs, delays in customs clearance, limited payment gateways, complexities in return and refund mechanisms, and barriers preventing small entrepreneurs from accessing global marketplaces.
The discussion underscored the importance of strengthening coordination among Bangladesh Post, customs authorities, private logistics service providers, and e-commerce platforms. A proposal was also raised to develop a unified digital platform for small entrepreneurs.
Participants at the seminar expressed hope that if the announced taskforce begins work promptly, Bangladesh’s e-commerce sector will gain new momentum in global competition and make a significant contribution to export diversification.
DBTech/JHI/MUM/OR
