[🇧🇩] ICT Industry in Bangladesh

[Saif]

IT exports decline in July-March

Bangladesh’s IT exports declined in July-March of the current financial year, highlighting the country’s struggle to gain a foothold in the global information and communications technology sector.

www.thedailystar.net

IT exports decline in July-March

Bangladesh's IT exports declined in July-March of the current financial year, highlighting the country's struggle to gain a foothold in the global information and communications technology sector.

According to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), earnings of IT firms dropped 2.33 percent to $407.07 million in the first nine months of 2023-24. In the same period a year prior, shipments stood at $416.79 million.

Software exports dropped by 25 percent to $28.6 million and computer consultancy services plummeted 45 percent to $14 million. Earnings from IT-enabled services, however, increased by 4.64 percent to $361.30 million.

If the current IT export trend persists, the sector might see a drop in shipments for the second year in a row. In 2022-23, overseas sales from the industry fell for the first time in five years.

Earnings of IT firms dropped 2.33 percent to $407.07 million in the first nine months of 2023-24

Industry people said the fact that the country has failed to produce big IT firms is an ominous sign for the government's export diversification efforts. Garment accounts for about 85 percent of Bangladesh's earnings from the external sector.

"The negative growth of software services gives a bad signal," said Fahim Mashroor, a former president of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS).

The export fall in July-March came although exporters are benefiting from a higher dollar rate, which has gained by 35 percent against the taka in the past two years. One explanation might be that exporters are not bringing in proceeds since the local currency is expected to weaken further amid the persistently lower level of foreign currency reserves.

"Although Bangladesh's software exports are declining, other countries like Pakistan have been displaying higher growth for the past few years," Mashroor added.

Pakistan's IT exports increased 25 percent year-on-year to $2.93 billion in July-May of FY24 although the country is far behind Bangladesh in various economic and social indicators.

Syed Almas Kabir, another former BASIS president, said big changes in global IT outsourcing have contributed to the negative growth in the sector.

He explained the IT services Bangladesh exports require low skills but they are now being replaced by automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

"For example, we used to export large volumes in the 2D graphics and manual data entry segments, both of which can now be handled through robotic automation and AI. These factors have primarily contributed to the downturn in ICT exports," Kabir said.

"Global companies now want to outsource high-level tasks. Therefore, unless we can build a workforce capable of handling such tasks, we will continue to lose contracts. Our workforce needs to learn sophisticated tasks such as 3D animation, blockchain, data analysis, and AI.

"Unless these changes are made, exports will continue to decline."

The IT entrepreneur added if broadband is not extended to remote areas and the curriculum is not updated, the export earnings would not receive a boost.

The grim scenario of Bangladesh's IT exports comes despite the government spending thousands of crores of taka on IT infrastructure and skill development projects over the past decade and a half.

Asked if these initiatives have created skilled manpower capable of competing globally, Kabir said: "Unfortunately, not."

He said there are good intentions at the top level of the government to make Bangladesh an ICT powerhouse, but failures have occurred in implementation.

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আইটি রপ্তানিতে কেবলই পেছাচ্ছে বাংলাদেশ

রপ্তানি উন্নয়ন ব্যুরোর (ইপিবি) তথ্য অনুসারে, ২০২৩-২৪ অর্থবছরের প্রথম নয় মাসে দেশের তথ্যপ্রযুক্তি প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর আয় দুই দশমিক ৩৩ শতাংশ কমে হয়েছে ৪০ কোটি ৭০ লাখ ৭০ হাজার ৭০ হাজার ডলার। আগের বছরের তা ছিল ৪১ কোটি ৬৭ লাখ ৯০ হাজার ডলার।

bangla.thedailystar.net

আইটি রপ্তানিতে কেবলই পেছাচ্ছে বাংলাদেশ

রপ্তানি উন্নয়ন ব্যুরোর (ইপিবি) তথ্য অনুসারে, ২০২৩-২৪ অর্থবছরের প্রথম নয় মাসে দেশের তথ্যপ্রযুক্তি প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর আয় দুই দশমিক ৩৩ শতাংশ কমে হয়েছে ৪০ কোটি ৭০ লাখ ৭০ হাজার ৭০ হাজার ডলার। আগের বছরের তা ছিল ৪১ কোটি ৬৭ লাখ ৯০ হাজার ডলার।

চলতি অর্থবছরের জুলাই-মার্চে দেশের আইটি পণ্যের রপ্তানি কমেছে প্রায় আড়াই শতাংশ। এ থেকে স্পষ্টত বোঝা যায় যে, বৈশ্বিক তথ্য-প্রযুক্তি খাতে প্রতিযোগিতায় টিকে থাকতে ধুঁকছে বাংলাদেশ।

রপ্তানি উন্নয়ন ব্যুরোর (ইপিবি) তথ্য অনুসারে, ২০২৩-২৪ অর্থবছরের প্রথম নয় মাসে দেশের তথ্যপ্রযুক্তি প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর আয় দুই দশমিক ৩৩ শতাংশ কমে হয়েছে ৪০ কোটি ৭০ লাখ ৭০ হাজার ৭০ হাজার ডলার। আগের বছরের তা ছিল ৪১ কোটি ৬৭ লাখ ৯০ হাজার ডলার।

সফটওয়্যার রপ্তানি ২৫ শতাংশ কমে দুই কোটি ৮৬ লাখ ডলার ও কম্পিউটার কনসালটেন্সি সেবা ৪৫ শতাংশ কমে এক কোটি ৪০ লাখ ডলারে দাঁড়িয়েছে। তবে আইটি সেবা থেকে আয় চার দশমিক ৬৪ শতাংশ বেড়ে ৩৬১ দশমিক ৩০ মিলিয়ন ডলারে দাঁড়িয়েছে।

আইটি পণ্য রপ্তানির বর্তমান ধারা অব্যাহত থাকলে এ খাতে টানা দ্বিতীয় বছরের মতো রপ্তানি কমতে পারে। ২০২২-২৩ অর্থবছরে পাঁচ বছরের মধ্যে প্রথমবারের মতো এ খাত থেকে রপ্তানি কমে যায়।

সংশ্লিষ্টরা বলছেন, বাংলাদেশ বড় বড় আইটি প্রতিষ্ঠান তৈরিতে ব্যর্থ হওয়ায় তা সরকারের রপ্তানি বহুমুখীকরণ প্রচেষ্টার জন্য অশনিসংকেত। দেশের আয়ের প্রায় ৮৫ শতাংশই আসে অন্য খাত থেকে।

বাংলাদেশ অ্যাসোসিয়েশন অব সফটওয়্যার অ্যান্ড ইনফরমেশন সার্ভিসেসের (বেসিস) সাবেক সভাপতি ফাহিম মাশরুর দ্য ডেইলি স্টারকে বলেন, 'সফটওয়্যার সেবায় নেতিবাচক পরিস্থিতি খারাপ সংকেত।'

ডলারের বেশি দাম হওয়ায় রপ্তানিকারকরা লাভবান হচ্ছেন। গত দুই বছরে ডলারের দাম ৩৫ শতাংশ বেড়েছে। রিজার্ভ ক্রমাগত কমতে থাকায় টাকা আরও দুর্বল হতে পারে এমন আশঙ্কায় রপ্তানিকারকদের অনেকে তাদের আয় দেশে আনছেন না।

তিনি আরও বলেন, 'যদিও দেশের সফটওয়্যার রপ্তানি কমছে। তবে পাকিস্তানের মতো অন্যান্য দেশ গত কয়েক বছর ধরে এই খাতে উচ্চ প্রবৃদ্ধি ধরে রাখছে।'

আর্থ-সামাজিক সূচকে বাংলাদেশের তুলনায় অনেক পিছিয়ে থাকলেও ২০২৩-২৪ অর্থবছরের জুলাই থেকে মে মাস পর্যন্ত পাকিস্তানের আইটি পণ্য রপ্তানি বছরে ২৫ শতাংশ বেড়ে দুই দশমিক ৯৩ বিলিয়ন ডলার হয়েছে।

বেসিসের অপর সাবেক সভাপতি সৈয়দ আলমাস কবীর ডেইলি স্টারকে বলেন, 'বৈশ্বিক আইটি আউটসোর্সিংয়ে বড় ধরনের পরিবর্তন এ খাতে নেতিবাচক পরিস্থিতি সৃষ্টি করেছে।'

তার ভাষ্য, দেশের আইটি সেবা রপ্তানিতে কম দক্ষতার কর্মী দরকার হলেও এখন এই খাতে অটোমেশন ও কৃত্রিম বুদ্ধিমত্তার (এআই) জয়জয়কার।

'ভারতে আছে শতাধিক রপ্তানিমুখী প্রতিষ্ঠান। সেখানে ৫০ হাজারের বেশি ইঞ্জিনিয়ার কাজ করছেন। যেহেতু বাংলাদেশি প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো আকারে ছোট, তাই তারা বড় কাজ পায় না। ফলে তাদের আয় কম।'

'যেমন, আমরা টুডি গ্রাফিক্স ও ম্যানুয়াল ডেটা এন্ট্রি প্রচুর রপ্তানি করতাম। এসব এখন রোবোটিক অটোমেশন ও এআই এর মাধ্যমে করা যায়। এটি আইসিটি রপ্তানি মন্দায় ভূমিকা রেখেছে।'

'বৈশ্বিক প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো এখন উচ্চ পর্যায়ের কাজে আউটসোর্সিং করতে চায়। যতক্ষণ না আমরা এ ধরনের কাজ করতে সক্ষম কর্মী তৈরি করতে পারছি ততক্ষণ আমরা কাজ হারাতে থাকব। আমাদের কর্মীদের থ্রিডি অ্যানিমেশন, ব্লকচেইন, ডেটা অ্যানালাইসিস ও এআইয়ের মতো অত্যাধুনিক কাজ শিখতে হবে।'

'এসব না বদলালে রপ্তানি কমতেই থাকবে,' বলেও মত দেন তিনি।

এই আইটি উদ্যোক্তা মনে করেন, ব্রডব্যান্ড যদি দেশের প্রত্যন্ত অঞ্চলে প্রসার ঘটানো না যায় এবং পাঠ্যক্রম আপডেট না করা হয় তবে আইটি খাতে রপ্তানি আয় বাড়বে না।

গত দেড় দশক ধরে সরকার আইটি অবকাঠামো ও দক্ষতা উন্নয়ন প্রকল্পে কয়েক হাজার কোটি টাকা খরচ করলেও আইটি রপ্তানিতে এমন ভয়াবহ চিত্র দেখা যাচ্ছে।

এসব উদ্যোগ বিশ্বব্যাপী প্রতিযোগিতায় টিকে থাকার মতো দক্ষ জনশক্তি তৈরি করেছে কিনা জানতে চাইলে কবীর বলেন, 'দুর্ভাগ্যজনক যে, তা হয়নি।'

তার মতে, 'বাংলাদেশকে আইসিটি পাওয়ার হাউস হিসেবে গড়ে তুলতে সরকারের শীর্ষ পর্যায়ে সদিচ্ছা থাকলেও তা বাস্তবায়নে ব্যর্থতা দেখা গেছে।'

তিনি আরও বলেন, 'ধরুন, ১০০ তরুণ আইসিটির কোনো বিষয়ে তিন মাসের কোর্সে অংশ নিয়েছেন। তারা কতটা শিখেছেন তা মূল্যায়ন করতে তৃতীয় পক্ষের অডিট দরকার। কিন্তু, আমরা সেরকম কিছু দেখছি না।'

'যেহেতু সরকার আইসিটি খাতের উন্নয়নে প্রচুর খরচ করছে, তা ফলপ্রসূ হচ্ছে কিনা ও সঠিক উপায়ে টাকা খরচ হচ্ছে কিনা এ নিয়ে মূল্যায়ন অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ।'

সফটওয়্যার প্রতিষ্ঠান ড্রিম৭১ বাংলাদেশ লিমিটেডের ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক রাশাদ কবির আইটি পণ্য রপ্তানিতে এমন মন্দাকে অস্বাভাবিক বলে মনে করেন না।

তিনি বলেন, 'এটা প্রায় এক বছর আগে এমনটি ধারণা করা হয়েছিল। এর প্রাথমিক কারণ বিশ্বব্যাপী অর্থনৈতিক মন্দা ও দীর্ঘ সময় ধরে চলা উচ্চ মূল্যস্ফীতি।'

২০২২ ও ২০২৩ সালে আইটি খাতে কর্মীর সংখ্যা উল্লেখযোগ্য হারে কমেছে। ২০২৪ সালে বিশ্বব্যাপী প্রযুক্তি খাতে ছাঁটাই চলছে। এটি এই ইঙ্গিত দেয় যে প্রযুক্তি প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর ব্যবসা ভালো চলছে না।

যেহেতু দেশের আইটি প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর প্রধান রপ্তানি আউটসোর্সিং, তাই আয় কমেছে।

দেশি আইটি প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো মূলত স্টার্টআপগুলোর সঙ্গে কাজ করে। কারণ তাদের সস্তায় আউটসোর্সিংয়ের প্রতি ঝোঁক বেশি। বিশ্বব্যাপী অর্থনৈতিক মন্দার কারণে স্টার্টআপগুলো তহবিল পেতে সমস্যায় পড়ছে। ফলে, তারা নতুন প্রযুক্তি পণ্যের আপগ্রেড বা প্রসার বন্ধ করে দিয়েছে।

কৃত্রিম বুদ্ধিমত্তা, ডেটা সায়েন্স ও ব্লকচেইনের মতো উন্নত প্রযুক্তির ক্ষেত্রে দক্ষ মানবসম্পদের অভাব আইটি পণ্য রপ্তানি কমার আরেক কারণ।

'বিশ্বব্যাপী আইটি পণ্যের চাহিদা প্রচলিত প্রযুক্তি থেকে উন্নত প্রযুক্তিতে বদলে যাচ্ছে,' উল্লেখ করে রাশাদ কবির বলেন, 'নানা কারণে বাংলাদেশ আধুনিক প্রযুক্তির জন্য যথেষ্ট দক্ষ মানবসম্পদ তৈরি করতে পারছে না। আমরা সম্ভাবনাময় বাজার ও ব্যবসার সুযোগ হারাচ্ছি।'

সংশ্লিষ্টদের মতে, ২০২৫ সালের মধ্যে পাঁচ বিলিয়ন ডলারের তথ্যপ্রযুক্তি পণ্য রপ্তানির যে লক্ষ্যমাত্রা বাংলাদেশ নিয়েছে তা অর্জন নাও হতে পারে।

ফাহিম মাশরুরের মত, 'রপ্তানি কম হওয়ার আরেক কারণ—দেশের বেশির ভাগ রপ্তানিমুখী আইটি প্রতিষ্ঠানই আকারে ছোট।'

তিনি বলেন, 'দেশে ৫০টিরও কম রপ্তানিমুখী আইটি প্রতিষ্ঠান আছে যাদের প্রতিটির কর্মীর সংখ্যা অন্তত ১০০। এক হাজারের বেশি কর্মীর কোনো প্রতিষ্ঠান নেই।'

'ভারতে আছে শতাধিক রপ্তানিমুখী প্রতিষ্ঠান। সেখানে ৫০ হাজারের বেশি ইঞ্জিনিয়ার কাজ করছেন। যেহেতু বাংলাদেশি প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো আকারে ছোট, তাই তারা বড় কাজ পায় না। ফলে তাদের আয় কম।'

'আমরা যদি পাঁচ বিলিয়ন ডলারের লক্ষ্যমাত্রা অর্জন করতে চাই, তাহলে ন্যূনতম ১০০ প্রতিষ্ঠান থাকতে হবে। সেখানে এক হাজারের বেশি প্রকৌশলী কাজ করবে,' যোগ করেন তিনি।​

 

[Saif]

Ecommerce a path to progress for SMEs in Bangladesh

In general, e-commerce is the exchange of goods and services, and the transmission of funds and data over internet. It is governed by technology and digital platforms, including websites, mobile apps and social media, which make buying and selling more feasible.

www.thedailystar.net

Ecommerce a path to progress for SMEs in Bangladesh

In general, e-commerce is the exchange of goods and services, and the transmission of funds and data over internet. It is governed by technology and digital platforms, including websites, mobile apps and social media, which make buying and selling more feasible.

Nowadays ecommerce has become a pathfinder for businesses worldwide, including small enterprises in Bangladesh. As Bangladesh evolves technologically, it's critical for small businesses to adapt ecommerce for sustainable growth and progress.

Traditional brick-and-mortar enterprises are restricted by geographical limitations, but ecommerce allows these businesses to reach customers across the country and even globally. This increased reach converts into more prospective customers and higher sales.

In addition, setting up and preserving an online store is often more economical than running a physical store. Overheads such as rent, utilities, and staff wages are significantly condensed. Moreover, digital marketing is generally more affordable and target-oriented than traditional marketing approaches.

In today's world, buyers value convenience over many other concerns. Ecommerce offers access to shop anytime and anywhere, making it stress-free for customers. This convenience can always lead to improved customer loyalty and repeat business.

Ecommerce platforms provide valuable insights about customer behaviour, preferences, and trends through data analytics. This data can help entrepreneurs make seamless decisions, tailor offerings, and improve customer satisfaction.

As businesses grow, scaling up an online store is easier than expanding a physical store. With ecommerce, we can add new products, move into new markets, and handle higher volumes of transactions with minimal capital expenditure.

Interestingly, the ecommerce industry has a significant dependency on logistical support, and this support plays a critical role in ensuring customer satisfaction and business competence. Logistical services include transportation from manufacturer to warehouse, warehousing and order fulfilment, and delivery to end customers.

Customers anticipate fast and dependable delivery services. A true smart logistics system optimises delivery routes and manages inventory competently avoiding over-stocking, offers real-time tracking and timely updates, and ensures products reach customers on time and hassle-free returns.

Smart logistics also leverage technology to reduce transportation and storage costs. By using data analytics, enterprises can optimise inventory levels, reduce wastage, and simplify operations. By optimising routes and merging shipments, smart logistics reduce carbon footprints and help us align with Sustainable Development Goals.

An efficient smart logistics system is flexible to changes in demand and can scale up operations during peak times. This adaptability ensures we handle growth and fluctuations without compromising service quality.

Building a balanced ecosystem between ecommerce and smart logistics is essential for exploiting the benefits of both. First, adopting accurate technology is the foundation of a successful ecommerce and logistics strategy.

Entrepreneurs should invest in a robust ecommerce platform that integrates with a user-friendly smart logistics management system. This combination ensures seamless operations from order placement to delivery. Ecommerce should also focus on partnering with local logistics providers who understand the regional market and can offer tailored solutions.

The business operation team should have the necessary skills and knowledge to manage ecommerce and logistics operations. Regular training on new technologies, customer service, and logistics management can enhance overall performance. Continuously monitoring the ecommerce and logistics processes is the key to success. Performance indicators to measure success and identify areas for improvement should be ongoing.

For the sake of small businesses, embracing ecommerce with smart logistics is not just a choice but a necessity for sustainable growth. An effective synergy between ecommerce and smart logistics can pave the way for stable, scalable, and prosperous business ventures in the digital age.

The author is a banker.​

 

[Saif]

"Bangladesh-Malaysia IT connect portal" initiative to boost tech ties, investment

The Board of Directors of the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) led by its President Shabbir A Khan had a courtesy call on to Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, the state minister of the ministry of post, telecommunication, and information technology, to discuss potential technologi

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

"Bangladesh-Malaysia IT connect portal" initiative to boost tech ties, investment
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Jul 03, 2024 22:09
Updated :
Jul 03, 2024 22:10

The Board of Directors of the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) led by its President Shabbir A Khan had a courtesy call on to Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, the state minister of the ministry of post, telecommunication, and information technology, to discuss potential technological collaboration and investment opportunities between Bangladesh and Malaysia.

President Shabbir A Khan briefed the state minister about their recent visit to Malaysia. During the visit, the BMCCI delegation had the privilege of engaging in dialogues on various bilateral issues with prominent figures including the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Officials of Malaysia Digital Economic Corporation (MDEC).The discussions centered around the need for a mutually beneficial partnership in the areas of technology transfer and skill development.

BMCCI President also informed the state minister about the participation of BMCCI delegation in the prestigious SEMICON SOUTHEAST ASIA 2024 exhibition comprising leading industrial personalities and technical experts, who attended the event and engaged with the Malaysian semiconductor industry. The BMCCI delegation also visited the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS), the national R&D center of Malaysia, to gain insights into their research and development capabilities and skill development programmes. The delegation was highly impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories at MIMOS and recognised the potential for joint training programmes, knowledge-sharing platforms, and collaborative projects between Malaysia and Bangladesh to enhance the semiconductor ecosystem.

Mr Shabbir A Khan stated that the development of a robust semiconductor ecosystem is a crucial element in Bangladesh's quest to achieve the "Smart Bangladesh" vision by the Prime Minister. He added that Bangladesh has strength in the upstream design and engineering aspects of the semiconductor industry, while Malaysia's capabilities lie in the downstream manufacturing and packaging domains.

The state minister commended the efforts of the BMCCI in bridging the technological potential between Bangladesh and Malaysia. He expressed his support for shared investment growth, where both countries can simultaneously benefit, and emphasised the need to draw the attention of Malaysian investors to consider Bangladesh as an attractive investment destination.

The state minister expressed his eagerness to leverage these capabilities between the two countries. The state minister assured the BMCCI that his ministry would extend its full support to further develop the semiconductor ecosystem in Bangladesh. He expressed his willingness to explore joint training programmes, research collaborations, and other knowledge-sharing initiatives between Bangladeshi and Malaysian institutions to build a robust talent pool of engineers and drive technological advancements in this sector.

The state minister shared his plan to establish a "Bangladesh IT connect portal-Malaysia" to facilitate direct communication between businesses and potential investors. He emphasised the importance of this platform in promoting investment opportunities and strengthening the technological collaboration between the two countries. The state minister stated that the portal will serve as a one-stop-shop for investors, providing comprehensive information on investment policies, tax incentives, and available infrastructure in Bangladesh. It will also enable seamless networking and matchmaking between Bangladeshi and Malaysian companies. The state minister also stated that BMCCI will be the Bangladesh Contact Point for this "Bangladesh IT connect portal-Malaysia" initiative, underscoring the chamber's pivotal role in fostering technological collaboration and investment between the two countries.

The BMCCI expressed its full support in the development and promotion of this IT connection portal. The chamber pledged to leverage its extensive network of members and stakeholders to ensure the portal's success and drive active engagement between the business communities of Bangladesh and Malaysia. The BMCCI president assured the state minister that the chamber will work closely with the relevant government agencies to provide all necessary assistance in establishing and maintaining the portal as a robust platform for accelerating technological cooperation and investment flows between the two countries.​

 

[Saif]

Building hi-tech parks in districts: progress only 14% in 7 years

Development initiatives in Bangladesh normally take longer than usual to come to fruition. However, the project to set up a dozen hi-tech parks at the district level is moving at such a glacial pace that it may hold the government from attaining its vision of building a smart nation and readying...

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Building hi-tech parks in districts: progress only 14% in 7 years

Development initiatives in Bangladesh normally take longer than usual to come to fruition. However, the project to set up a dozen hi-tech parks at the district level is moving at such a glacial pace that it may hold the government from attaining its vision of building a smart nation and readying the workforce for the digitalised world.

The government initiated the project in April 2017 to construct 12 hi-tech parks in as many districts to create a skilled workforce and job opportunities to tap the potential in the information technology sector at home and abroad.

Seven years later, the project has achieved 14.34 percent physical progress, according to a monitoring report of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED).

The project authority spent 12.57 percent of the budget as of February this year.

Hi-tech parks, also known as technology parks, are designated areas that provide infrastructure, resources, and support to technology-based businesses.

Of the Tk 1,796.40 crore that would be required to implement the "Establishing IT Park/Hi-Tech Park at District Level (12 Districts)" project, Tk 1,544 crore is coming in the form of a line of credit from India while Bangladesh will bear the rest.

The parks will be built in Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Natore, Chattogram, Cumilla, Cox's Bazar, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Gopalganj, Dhaka, and Sylhet.

The project was scheduled to be implemented from July 2017 to June 2020, according to a document from the ICT division. When it missed the deadline, the government revised the project and extended the time to June 2021 without increasing the cost.

Later, the budget size was increased to Tk 1,846 crore, and the deadline was set at June 2024.

Now, the project is sending a proposal to seek time until 2027, AKAM Fazlul Hoque, director of the project, told The Daily Star. It is also going to request to raise the project expenditure to Tk 2,000 crore.

WHY IS THE DELAY?

According to the IMED report, the project failed to realise the financial and actual work plans in most components.

The project's activities were halted for 17 months owing to insufficient allocations from the government to pay customs duty and VAT in the fiscal year of 2018-2019 and because of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.

The time taken for land acquisition significantly exceeded expectations, preventing the project from being finished within the stipulated timeframe, it said.

The physical progress of MA Wazed Miah Knowledge Park in Rangpur stood at 19 percent in February.

The hi-tech park in Natore's progress rate was 31 percent while it was 32 percent for that in Mymensingh, 23.60 percent for Jamalpur, 25.10 percent for Khulna, 22.30 percent for Barishal, 13.20 percent for Gopalganj, 31 percent for Dhaka's Keraniganj, 2.10 percent for Cumilla, 1 percent for Chattogram, 1 percent for Cox's Bazar's Ramu, and 4.10 percent for Sylhet's hi-tech park.

The construction work of the parks in Cumilla, Chattogram, Ramu, and Sylhet started in 2023, according to the report.

Fazlul Hoque, however, said that the IMED's information is based on old data.

The physical progress stood at 33.92 percent as of June this year, and the financial progress was 33.92 percent, he said.

The IMED also found some faults during field inspections. For example, low-quality sand was used at the Keraniganj Knowledge Park's construction work. The presence of oversized stones was also found in the sand.

It was specified that steel shuttering had to be used in the construction work, but wood has been found on the site.

No respite from project delays

"The project is not an isolated case when it comes to cost and time overruns," said noted economist Mustafa K Mujeri on Tuesday.

Delays have become a regular phenomenon as there is a lack of accountability regarding implementation of projects on time, he said.

He questioned how the real economic returns would be ensured if a three-year project achieves only 14 percent progress in seven years.

"The country will never reap the expected benefits if we don't come out of the worst culture of project implementation. Without a change in this culture, the enormous annual development programme will not bring any fruitful outcome for the nation."

"This will also cause a waste of public money."

Mujeri, also the executive director of the Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development, said this type of escalation happens when the project authorities are unable to carry out feasibility studies properly.

Fazlul Hoque said he assumed the current role as an additional responsibility in late 2020. Before that, three project directors were changed.

The initial tenders were non-responsive, leading to re-tendering and four years of no progress, he said.

Since only Indian firms were allowed to participate in the bidding as per the conditions of the line of credit, the project came to a standstill due to the pandemic since prospective bidders could not visit Bangladesh to take part in the tender process.

Half of the project was awarded to a bidder in 2022, with work starting in November 2022.

The project, financed at a 1 percent interest rate while 65 percent of materials are expected to come from India, was supposed to have customs duty VAT covered by the government as per the agreement, he said.

"However, we are not getting the funds to pay the VAT, and this has been a factor for the slow progress."​

 

[Saif]

Nagad signs deal with Huawei

Nagad and Huawei Technologies will work together to transform people’s digital transaction experience.....

www.newagebd.net

Nagad signs deal with Huawei
Staff Correspondent 09 July, 2024, 13:52

Nagad founder and CEO Tanvir A Mishuk and president of Huawei South Asia Region and CEO of Huawei Bangladesh Pan Junfeng shake hands after signing an agreement between Nagad Ltd and Huawei Technologies in presence of Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina as she attends 'Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities Between Bangladesh and China' as part of her China visit alongside several ministers and senior officials of Bangladesh and China at the Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing on Tuesday. | Focus Bangla photo

Nagad and Huawei Technologies will work together to transform people's digital transaction experience.

To this end, the two parties have signed an agreement, which will provide world-class smart transaction experiences to the country's people through Nagad, said a press release.

In the presence of Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the agreement between Nagad Ltd and Huawei Technologies was signed at the Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing on Tuesday.

Following this agreement, Nagad Digital Bank and Nagad's existing mobile financial services will be integrated with cutting-edge global technologies. As a result, customers of the country's first digital bank will enjoy international-standard transaction services anytime, anywhere.

On behalf of Nagad, its founder and CEO Tanvir A Mishuk signed the agreement. The event was also attended by finance minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, PM's private industry and investment adviser Salman F Rahman, state minister for posts, telecommunications, and information technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and chairman of Nagad Digital Bank Muhammad Farid Khan.

Pan Junfeng, president of Huawei South Asia Region and CEO of Huawei Bangladesh, signed the agreement on behalf of Huawei Technologies.

Several ministers and senior officials of the Chinese government were also present at the event.

At this time, Li Fei, vice-minister of commerce of the People's Republic of China, highly praised Nagad's remarkable contribution to Bangladesh's economic growth and financial inclusion.

Speaking about the agreement, Farid Khan, chairman of Nagad Digital Bank, said, 'Nagad MFS has brought about a major revolution in Bangladesh's financial sector over the past five years. Now is the time to take it to a global standard. Nagad and Huawei will jointly work to achieve this for Bangladesh. Nagad Digital Bank will play a unique role in this, which will significantly contribute to building a smart Bangladesh.'

'To ensure the technological development required for a 100 per cent cashless society, we have signed this agreement with the world-renowned company Huawei Technologies. Through this, our MFS and digital bank customers in Bangladesh will enjoy world-class services causing digital transactions to become more comfortable and affordable,' he also said.

Marking the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China next year, prime minister Sheikh Hasina began her China visit on 8 July.

During this visit, several notable agreements and memorandums of understanding are being signed between the two countries.

Eight years ago, when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Dhaka, Bangladesh and China elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership from trade and economic cooperation.

Later, during prime minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to China in 2019, China was termed as a comprehensive strategic cooperative partner in Bangladesh's development.

In the continuity of cooperation between the two countries, this agreement between Nagad and Huawei is significant even in the global context of digital transactions. As a result of this agreement, new financial services and products will be introduced for customers in Bangladesh, which will play a role in transforming the trend of the country's digital transactions in the future.

Inaugurated by prime minister Sheikh Hasina five years ago, Nagad has recently obtained the license for the country's first digital bank.

Within a short time, it has become the country's largest MFS operator with 9 crore customers and its daily transactions hit BDT 1,800 crore. Besides, Nagad has been recognised as the fastest unicorn by the government.​

 

[Saif]

Trade digitalisation is the way forward

At a recently organised roundtable by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh, titled 'Digitalising International Trade in Bangladesh' speakers came up with arguments why Bangladesh should be moving towards digitising its trade operations to seriously boost exports. The event brought

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Trade digitalisation is the way forward
SYED MANSUR HASHIM
Published :
Jul 09, 2024 21:37
Updated :
Jul 09, 2024 21:37

At a recently organised roundtable by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh, titled 'Digitalising International Trade in Bangladesh' speakers came up with arguments why Bangladesh should be moving towards digitising its trade operations to seriously boost exports. The event brought together policymakers, business leaders, UN representatives and experts who agreed that eliminating the various (and tedious) process of paperwork could dramatically help expedite trade.

A significant portion of outbound trade is based on shipping. Roughly, 40 per cent of the containerised trade is still based on 'bill of lading' process that is a cause of much delay. According to a UN expert, "Bangladesh could earn $0.6 billion more annually, as the electronic bills of lading could unlock $30-40 billion in global trade volume if these processes went digital."

From what has been shared in the event, it is understood that digitising laborious manual processes can help reduce trade costs significantly, to the tune of 11-23 per cent and also help increase exports by around $600 million per annum.

Digitalisation has been a major stated policy thrust of the present government over the last few terms. However, there has been and continue to be push-back by various agencies which fear a loss of control and the streamlining of these processes (through adoption of new technology) would possibly impede the illicit earning of certain quarters. There is no nice way of saying this, but that is a fact of life in our country, especially given the spate of high-profile graft cases that have been made public over the last few months. But then, it also everything to do with ushering in greater trade efficiency and sustainability. The business community has for years been clamouring for change that not only would help ease up on the cost of doing business in this country, but help expedite lead times leading to more trade.

As pointed out by ICCB president, the Digital Standards Initiative (DSI), which is a part of a global effort in Singapore that is supported by trade and financial entities, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), remains a prime example of a system that works for the betterment of trade. According to Mr. Rahman, the introduction of bills of lading result in swift transactions, cost efficiency and reduce risks of fraud. Indeed, the advantages of using electronic form of bill of lading has been supported by internationally recognised studies and it is time for Bangladesh to enter into this regime.

As stated before, digitalisation of services remains a top policy priority. Since cost of doing business in the country has not fared well in various international indices, it is high time the government started taking serious steps towards a cashless and digital system. Naturally these call for serious reforms. However, before leaping on to the slated 'digital bandwagon', a host of issues need to be addressed, particularly, cybersecurity. Despite serious efforts to develop ICT resources in-country, the issue of cybersecurity remains a soft underbelly in the country. State entities including those storing sensitive repositories of data have seen their fair share of hacking and security breaches. These are loopholes in the system that need to be plugged.

The first step has been taken and now the hard task begins. Enacting laws, amending rules, addressing reforms highlighted in the national logistics policy, etc. all have to be taken into cognizance and these processes need to be expedited. The good thing is that international bilateral agencies and foreign governments are willing to work with their counterparts in Bangladesh - at the business and state level. One can only hope that the momentum for change is sustained because the country needs to move beyond recent debacles and boost trade as a matter of national priority.​

 

[Saif]

Digital trade: Bangladesh could earn $0.6b more in exports

Imagine you are a cargo owner in 1450. You hand over your goods to a ship and receive a bill of lading -- a paper document detailing your shipment. Fast forward to 2024: despite a dramatically changed world, the bill of lading process remains reliant on physical paperwork, used in roughly 40 per c

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Digital trade: Bangladesh could earn $0.6b more in exports
Says UN expert at ICC Bangladesh roundtable
FE REPORT
Published :
Jul 08, 2024 10:31
Updated :
Jul 08, 2024 10:42

Salman Fazlur Rahman, MP (centre), Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, participated as the chief guest in the ICC Roundtable on 'Digitalizing International Trade in Bangladesh' held in Dhaka on Sunday. Also seen in the picture, among others, are ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, Vice Presidents A K Azad, MP, and Naser Ezaz Bijoy; ADB Country Director Edimon Ginting; UN-ESCAP Director Dr. Rupa Chanda; ITFC Regional Head Iftekhar Alam; ICC-DSI MD Pamela Mar; ICCB Executive Board Member Kutubuddin Ahmed; Banking Commission Chair Muhammad A. (Rumee) Ali and Secretary General Ataur Rahman
Salman Fazlur Rahman, MP (centre), Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister, participated as the chief guest in the ICC Roundtable on 'Digitalizing International Trade in Bangladesh' held in Dhaka on Sunday. Also seen in the picture, among others, are ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, Vice Presidents A K Azad, MP, and Naser Ezaz Bijoy; ADB Country Director Edimon Ginting; UN-ESCAP Director Dr. Rupa Chanda; ITFC Regional Head Iftekhar Alam; ICC-DSI MD Pamela Mar; ICCB Executive Board Member Kutubuddin Ahmed; Banking Commission Chair Muhammad A. (Rumee) Ali and Secretary General Ataur Rahman

Imagine you are a cargo owner in 1450. You hand over your goods to a ship and receive a bill of lading -- a paper document detailing your shipment.

Fast forward to 2024: despite a dramatically changed world, the bill of lading process remains reliant on physical paperwork, used in roughly 40 per cent of containerised trade.

According to a UN expert, Bangladesh could earn $0.6 billion more annually, as the electronic bills of lading could unlock $30-40 billion in global trade volume if these processes went digital.

"Digital trade is crucial not only for Bangladesh but also for global trade efficiency and sustainability," said Rupa Chanda, director at UNESCAP. "The country could reduce trade costs by 11-12 per cent and gain an additional $0.6 billion in exports by embracing digital trade processes."

She made the remarks at a programme on 'Digitalizing International Trade in Bangladesh', organised by the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday.

ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman chaired the programme. He said that digitalisation enhances efficiency, reduces costs and broadens market access.

At the roundtable, Mr Rahman introduced the Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) -- a global effort based in Singapore supported by trade and finance entities including the Asian Development Bank and the World Trade Organization.

He said every year, ocean carriers issue about 45 million bills of lading. Many international shipping documents still need to be standardised and mostly paper-based, needing physical exchanges.

In contrast, electronic bills of lading offer swift transactions, cost efficiency and carry less risks of fraud.

Citing a McKinsey study, the ICCB president said that 100 per cent adoption of electronic bills of lading could unlock $30-$40 billion in global trade by reducing trade friction.

He said this shift could also save 28,000 trees annually and cut carbon emissions.

Bangladesh ratified the UNESCAP Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in 2020.

The roundtable on Sunday marked the first step in introducing the Digital Standards Initiative (DSI), with plans to draft rules and regulations aligned with global digitalization trends by 2027.

At the programme, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Private Industry and Investment Salman Fazlur Rahman said one of the most important components of digitalisation is interoperability.

Highlighting Bangladesh's success in creating an enabling atmosphere for digitalisation, the adviser said Bangladesh is making rapid progress in establishing a digital and cashless Bangladesh.

However successful international digital trade depends on other countries too, he added.

"International trade is not only dependent on Bangladesh but also dependent on the counterparts who also have to make various reforms," he said, adding that there are also some challenges arising from developed countries.

"Now we are seeing more and more protectionism, especially from the United States, even we are seeing that in Europe," he said.

Mr Rahman added that with the rise of technologies, there are growing concerns with cyber defence.

He said artificial intelligence is now evolving faster with exponential growth in its IQ level.

Regarding the export data mismatch among the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Bangladesh Bank (BB) and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), he said the EPB has double-counted the value of merchandise sent abroad from the export processing zones (EPZs).

"The mistake which EPB made was double-counting the export from the export processing zones," he said.

Edimon Ginting, country director, Bangladesh Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank said effective digitalisation of trade will increase growth and create jobs by expanding access to global trade networks for developing economies.

He said there are two key impediments that we need to jointly work on and address. Those include a need for common standards and protocols that will enable effective interoperability among the players in supply chains, from exporters to logistics, customs, warehousing/logistics, finance, etc and the need to enhance legislation supporting the use and enforceability of key documents in trade.

To tackle these two important challenges, ADB, the Government of Singapore, and the International Chamber of Commerce founded the Digital Standards Initiative, he said.

DSI is working on addressing these challenges and helping promote a globally harmonised digital trade environment.

In order to address the lack of recognition of electronic versions of key trade documents such as bills of lading, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) developed The Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR), he informed.

He also said the adoption of MLETR would serve the purpose of further improving domestic legal frameworks and facilitating cross-border trade.

While presenting the keynote, Pamela Mar, managing director, Digital Standard Initiative (DSI), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) said this is a pivotal moment for Bangladesh as it graduates LDC, expands its international trade profile, and sets targets to become a digital economy.

Digital trade builds on Bangladesh's export manufacturing success while preparing it to compete in the future of trade, she said.

The DSI and our entire network including ICC Bangladesh, stand ready to support the country to make the digital trade transition successful, she added.

Iftekhar Alam, Regional Head for South & South East Asia at the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), spoke about the ongoing efforts to streamline trade, particularly for major cotton-importing countries like Bangladesh.

Muhammad A (Rumee) Ali, Chairman of ICC Bangladesh Banking Commission, delivered the welcome address, emphasising the critical role of digitalisation in modernising trade infrastructure.

Lawmaker A K Azad, also the vice president of ICC Bangladesh, concluded the event by emphasising the importance of digitalisation for reducing operational costs and enhancing trade efficiency as Bangladesh aims to become a middle-income country by 2026.

Zaidi Sattar, chairman, Policy Research Institute, Mohammad Navid Safiullah, additional decretary, Ministry of Commerce, Mursheda Zaman, joint secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Md Sarwar Hossain, director (Foreign Exchange Policy Department) of Bangladesh Bank, Raich Uddin Khan, first secretary (Customs Automation) National Board of Revenue, Kutubuddin Ahmed, member, ICC Bangladesh Executive Board, Naser Ezaz Bijoy, vice-president, ICC Bangladesh and chief executive officer, Standard Chartered Bank, Md Saiful Islam, former president, MCCI, Muhammad Zahangir Alam, CFO, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd also spoke, among others.​

 

[Saif]

Consider human emotions while developing cybersecurity measures

Excessive worry about cyber threats can lead to "security fatigue."

www.thedailystar.net

Consider human emotions while developing cybersecurity measures

VISUAL: FREEPIK

In the increasingly digital world, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for individuals, businesses, and governments alike. While much of the focus is often on technological solutions—there is another crucial aspect that often goes underappreciated: the human emotions involved in cybersecurity.

Fear and anxiety significantly impact cybersecurity. The fear of data breaches, identity theft, and cyberattacks can drive individuals and organisations to adopt more stringent security measures. For instance, after the high-profile Equifax data breach, which exposed the personal information of over 147 million people, there was a significant increase in the number of people signing up for credit monitoring services and identity theft protection. This breach highlighted the vulnerability of even large organisations and instilled fear among consumers about the safety of their personal information.

However, fear and anxiety can also have negative effects. Excessive worry about cyber threats can lead to "security fatigue," where individuals become overwhelmed and desensitised to the constant barrage of warnings and advisories. A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that people experiencing security fatigue may neglect basic security practices, such as updating passwords or installing software patches, thereby increasing vulnerability to attacks.

Trust is another pivotal emotion in the cybersecurity landscape. Users must trust that their systems are secure, that the websites they visit are safe, and that their personal information is protected. Unfortunately, trust can be easily exploited by cybercriminals through social engineering tactics such as phishing attacks. During the Covid pandemic, there was a significant increase in phishing attacks where cybercriminals posed as health organisations. These attacks exploited the public's trust in these institutions, tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information or downloading malicious software.
The 2013 Target data breach, where hackers gained access to the retailer's network by exploiting the trust placed in a third-party contractor, underscores how trust in third-party vendors can become a vulnerability if not properly managed.

The stress associated with maintaining cybersecurity can also influence behaviour. Professionals working in cybersecurity roles often face high levels of stress due to the constant threat of attacks and the pressure to protect sensitive information. For instance, the cybersecurity teams at hospitals during ransomware attacks, such as the one on Universal Health Services, experienced immense stress as they worked to secure patient data and restore critical systems while under attack. This stress can lead to burnout, reducing the effectiveness of cybersecurity teams and increasing the likelihood of human error.

For end-users, stress from dealing with complex security protocols and the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats can result in poor security habits. A common example is users resorting to simple, easy-to-remember passwords across multiple accounts, despite knowing the risks, to reduce the cognitive load associated with managing complex security requirements. This behaviour was evident in the aftermath of the Yahoo data breach, where many users admitted to reusing passwords across different sites to simplify their online security management.

Complex security measures often lead to frustration and anger. Managing passwords, dealing with frequent updates, and navigating authentication requirements can be exasperating. The Yahoo data breach underscores the importance of robust security practices, but user frustration can lead to non-compliance, undermining cybersecurity efforts. A survey by the University of California, Berkeley found that many users are frustrated by the complexity and frequency of password changes required by their employers, leading to shortcuts such as writing down passwords or using easily guessable passwords.

Confusion and helplessness often accompany cyber incidents. The rapid evolution of cyber threats and the complexity of security technologies can leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless. In times of crisis, such as a ransomware attack or data breach, individuals and organisations may struggle to understand what steps to take. Developing clear response plans, conducting regular drills, and seeking assistance from cybersecurity experts can help alleviate confusion and empower us to respond effectively to cyber incidents.

Relief and satisfaction follow successful cybersecurity measures. Implementing robust security protocols, thwarting cyber threats, and safeguarding digital assets bring a sense of accomplishment and peace of mind. Knowing that our sensitive information is protected against malicious actors provides a sense of relief.

However, success in thwarting cyber threats can breed overconfidence and complacency. Believing that we are immune to cyberattacks can lead to lax security practices and vulnerability to future threats. Similarly, organisations may become complacent after implementing security measures, failing to adapt to evolving cyber threats. By staying informed about emerging cyber threats, conducting regular security assessments, and updating security protocols, we can guard against overconfidence and complacency.

Another issue that surfaces after cybersecurity breaches aspect is guilt and shame. Individuals may blame themselves for falling victim to phishing scams or neglecting security best practices. Organisations may feel ashamed of security lapses that compromise customer data or tarnish their reputation. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, they should focus on lessons learned, steps for improvement, open communication and collaboration to foster a culture of shared responsibility in cybersecurity.

To enhance cybersecurity by addressing emotional factors, individuals should be empowered with user-friendly cybersecurity education and practical knowledge. Building of trust by fostering transparency and reliability in digital services, prioritsing employee well-being and stress management to enhance cybersecurity resilience are also crucial along with simplifying security measures to reduce frustration and encouraging compliance.

In Bangladesh's digital journey, understanding and addressing cybersecurity emotions are paramount. By recognising the fears, frustrations, and triumphs inherent in digital defence, we can develop more effective strategies for safeguarding our digital assets. Through education, empathy, and collaboration, we can navigate the complexities of the digital landscape with resilience and confidence.

BM Zahid ul Haque is an experienced CISO and cyber digital transformation strategist.​

 

[Saif]

Smart Bangladesh, unsmart cybersecurity measures

In the recent case, the entire profile of an individual could be obtained from the Telegram channel by just providing two inputs: the NID number and the date of birth.

www.thedailystar.net

Smart Bangladesh, unsmart cybersecurity measures

For Smart Bangladesh, we need smart cybersecurity measures. VISUAL: STAR

With consistently poor data security and the resultant surge in cyberattacks in recent years, Bangladesh faces major cybersecurity challenges. The latest case of cybersecurity vulnerability was the leakage of sensitive personal data of individuals who have the smart National Identity (NID) cards on a Telegram channel. While the NID database contains personal information of more than 12 crore voters, 5.5 crore of them have Smart NID cards. The custodian of the NID system, the Election Commission (EC), has tried to wash its hands off the issue saying that the data breach occurred through one or some of the 174 institutions and organisations that have access to the NID server. But the fact remains that the EC is sharing sensitive personal data of citizens with various bodies that are not capable of ensuring their web security and integrity, resulting in this leakage.

Earlier in June this year, US-based online publisher of start-up and technology industry news TechCrunch revealed that the personal data of more than five crore Bangladeshi citizens had been exfiltrated and exposed from the website of the Office of the Registrar General, Birth and Death Registration (BDRIS). The exposed data included full names of the victims, their phone numbers, email addresses and NID numbers.

In the recent case, the entire profile of an individual could be obtained from the Telegram channel by just providing two inputs: the NID number and the date of birth.

The Telegram channel leakage raises questions about the integrity of the EC, which provides sensitive personal data of individuals to organisations with little ability to keep them secure. The BDRIS issue should have been a good enough red flag for the NID data custodian to limit access to information for high-risk organisations, like they have done after the Telegram issue surfaced.

What is even more concerning is that, despite identifying BDRIS as a source of data pilferage, no punishable action has yet been recommended against them by the investigating body, and the ICT Division closed the loop saying, "It is not acceptable that personal information of five million people was open to all. However, we cannot deny the claim either."

In other countries, such cases are not treated lightly, and responsible organisations are at least made accountable for their failure with penalties. For instance, the Integrated Health Information System of Singapore, in 2019, was fined $750,000 (around Tk 8 crore) for the incident of pilferage of personal data of its patients. Penalising organisations for such a breach is not about playing the blame game; rather, it is a negative reinforcement, holding them accountable for their negligence and making sure that they are more careful in the future. A simple slap on the wrist – as in the case of BDRIS – only goes to show how lightly this issue is being treated by the authorities here.

The problem with these data breaches means sensitive personal data of the citizens are now exposed – once data is leaked, even if it is taken down from public domain later, it is likely to remain with those nefarious bodies that have downloaded them – and this makes them even more vulnerable to crimes such as identity theft. Personal data could easily be manipulated by criminal groups to carry out fraudulent and criminal activities. What guarantee is there that your and my complete personal profiles are not lying at the disposal of some criminal gang – may be even in a far away, obscure location – for them to exploit and use at their will? And with the general election almost knocking at the door, what guarantee is there that criminals would not leverage these leaked data to manipulate the election results via identity theft?

We are moving towards Vision 2041 at a fast pace to become "Smart Bangladesh." As we move towards this grand vision, launch digital banking to bring the masses under the formal financial umbrella, increasingly leverage Internet of Things (IoT) for easier data exchange and to make life better, bridge the digital divide through digital innovation and sustainable solutions, and embrace 4IR, we are no longer in a position where we can wash our hands off responsibility by pointing fingers at others.

In the Telegram case, it was the EC's responsibility to make sure that only organisations with high security measures could access the personal data of citizens at its disposal, especially in the aftermath of the BDRIS incident. Leakage and exfiltration essentially pose a threat to national security, especially as we are digitalising more and more critical and sensitive services.

The Bangladesh Government's Computer Incident Response Team (BGD e-GOV CIRT), along with the cybercrime investigation team under the police's Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit and other agencies involved with combating cyberthreats, should be empowered with enhanced knowledge and adequate tools so that they are better capable of averting such risks and threats going forward. Since we are prioritising a smart future, we must also put in place adequate digital infrastructure to keep us safe in the smart world.

Tasneem Tayeb is a columnist for The Daily Star.​