e-Cab celebrating 7th anniversary with the hope of creating confidence and growth

The e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB), an organization of e-commerce traders, has pledged to work with the government to bring back consumer confidence and sustain the desired growth through solutions to the problems that have arisen in recent days in the country's e-commerce sector. This was stated by the members of the Executive Council of e-Cab at a meet the press event held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Monday, November 8. The initiatives taken by the organization in the development of the e-commerce sector since 2014, the policy decisions it has taken with the government and the problems it has solved in this sector are highlighted in this program. In his welcome address, Sahab Uddin Shipon, Vice President of e-Cab, said, “Entrepreneurs have been working through various problems and limitations in this sector since its inception. The e-commerce sector has grown faster than we have in communication and digital infrastructure. The reason for this is basically giving the right service. E-Cab does not want to let the trust and confidence that the entrepreneurs and employees have built through the services during the pandemic be lost in any way. “At the moment we are able to return to continuous growth by conducting business in compliance with the policy and by providing accurate and quality services to the customers,” he said. He added that it is not just buyers and merchants who have suffered because of the risky business practices. On the contrary, the negative message has spread and the possibility of foreign investment in this sector is now in the face of uncertainty. Organizations that are doing business properly and have success stories also need to be brought up. Mohammad Abdul Wahed Tamal, general secretary of e-Cab, said the sector has yet to see a gain. Even then, on the one hand, it is creating employment and on the other hand, the workers have gone through the service for the last one and a half years at the risk of their lives. The contribution of the e-commerce sector to the digital economy and the overall economy of the country through e-commerce is undeniable. "We want to work with everyone to maintain buyer confidence and growing growth in this sector," he said. Referring to various steps taken by the government in this regard, Tamal said, "We are working with the government along with the members." Through the combined efforts of all, e-commerce has started to turn around again. E-Cab Finance Secretary Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu said, "Entrepreneurs are still working through various limitations." Banks or financial institutions are reluctant to invest in this sector. Providing services at the marginal level has not yet become easy. At this time, such a push has damaged the momentum of the sector. But those who want to serve the buyers properly have not backed down. And buyers are also receiving services. We will continue to work to bring growth back through proper service. Nasima Akhter Nisha, Joint Editor, e-Cab, said that most of the small entrepreneurs in e-commerce are women. The policy support of the government for the expansion of this sector is certainly positive. However, much needs to be done to invest and develop infrastructure. They will also work to maintain the trust that small entrepreneurs have built in the service. Shoppers can also be on the side of this sector by making proper purchases from actual e-commerce businesses. Ashish Chakraborty, Director, e-Cab, said that the cooperation of buyers and entrepreneurs is needed at this time. We know that trade associations cannot view or control the financial accounts of any organization. Bangladesh Bank and law enforcement agencies are working to solve the problems that have arisen in this regard. e-Cab is also trying to resolve the issues by constantly making demands and letters. So, everyone should work to solve the problem through mutual cooperation. e-Cab director Zia Ashraf said shoppers have relied on e-commerce to get the services they need. They will continue to rely on the right service. At present, e-commerce entrepreneurs are as committed to service delivery as they are to overcoming the crisis. So, with the right service you can overcome this crisis. Therefore, the cooperation of the government is very important. Besides, the buyers should stay by the side by receiving services from the entrepreneurs that provide the right services. Then we will all come back to the trend of growth. Just as sellers will provide the right service in their own interest, buyers will also receive e-commerce services for their own needs. Asif Ahnaf, director of e-Cab, said the buyer is the lifeblood of any business. Buyers can trust the future of digital commerce. And that's why e-Cab, despite being a trade organization, has been working tirelessly with various government agencies to protect the interests of consumers in the past. The guidelines announced by the government are to protect the interests of both buyers and entrepreneurs. Rhythm will return to this sector through its implementation. Saeed Rahman, director of e-Cab, said the whole ecosystem could not be damaged for a few persons. Hundreds of crores of taka are stuck with customers and merchants due to legal process. This condition may not last long. But it could shut down the businesses of many of the affected entrepreneurs. Therefore, the government should be by their side not only through policy but also through financial investment and loan facilities. He appealed for a quick release of the stuck money as well. e-Cab spoke of amending and monitoring existing laws without creating new laws and regulatory authorities. In addition, by enhancing the capacity of Digital Commerce Cell, UBID, Central Complaints Management System, Central Logistics Tracking Platform, long term solutions in this sector are highlighted. Requests and co-operation are being sought from the government for speedy resolution of other issues such as releasing money stuck at the gateway and abolition of 30% VAT imposed on digital marketing. Vice-President Sahab Uddin Shipon and General Secretary Mohammad Abdul Wahed Tamal answered various questions of the journalists at the event hosted by e-Cab General Manager Jahangir Alam Shovon. Meanwhile, 600 members gathered at Hotel Sonargaon at 6 pm to work together to restore the trust and confidence of the customers through proper service at the 7th anniversary celebration held with e-Cab members. In the coming days, it will discuss various issues to work together.