Inauguration of inter-operable digital transaction platform in January

An inter-operable digital transaction platform will be launched next January to prevent financial transaction costs and harassment. State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said this while addressing a function of Bangladesh Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industries at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Sunday. In his inaugural address at the workshop titled ‘Capacity Building Training for Anandamela Platform Users in Bangladesh’, the Minister said that a non-refundable grant of 50 thousand taka each will be given shortly for the advancement of women in the field of web development and digital marketing. UNDP Country Economist Nazneen Ahmed and Configure Robot Founder CEO Rudmila Nowshin also spoke at the event, which was chaired by BWCCI President Selima Ahmed, MP. Speaking on the occasion, Palak said that online banking, electronic money transfer, use of ATM card is also spreading e-commerce in the country. As of March 2020, the size of e-commerce was Tk. 8,500 crore, which has doubled since the Corona pandemic. By 2023, the domestic e-commerce market could reach Tk. 25,000 crore. He further said that as a result of various initiatives taken by the government for the development of startup culture, startup ecosystem has been developed in the country at present. Startups are being given grants through the Idea project initiated by the ICT department. The state minister said the digital economy is developing in the country through the implementation of Digital Bangladesh. In 2018, exports in the ICT sector exceeded 1 billion US dollars. Bangladesh ranks second in online labor force. About 6 lakh 50 thousand freelancers are earning about 500 million US dollars from the outsourcing sector. Out of 39 high-tech / IT parks, 8 have already been set up and domestic and foreign investors have started business activities. Of these, 120 companies have invested Tk 327 crore in 5 of them and more than 13,000 jobs have been created. He said if the construction work of high-tech parks is completed, more than 3 lakh people will be employed. He said a target of Tk 2,400 crore has been set for investment in parks by 2025.