Information
Technology & Bangladesh
The information
technology sector in Bangladesh had its beginnings in nuclear research during
the 1960s. Over the next few decades, computer use increased at large
Bangladeshi organizations, mostly with IBM mainframe computers. However, the sector
only started to get substantial attention during the 1990s. Today the sector is
still in a nascent stage, though it is showing potential for advancement.
History
The first computer in
Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) was an IBM mainframe 1620 series, installed in
1964 at the Dhaka center of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (later the
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission). Computer use increased in the following
years, especially after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971; more-advanced
IT equipment began to be set up in different educational, research and
financial institutions. In 1979, a computer centre, later renamed Department of
Computer Science & Engineering, was established at Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology (BUET); the centre has been playing a pivotal role
in Bangladeshi IT education since its inception. Through the introduction of
personal computers, the use of computers witnessed a rapid increase in the late
1980s.[3] In 1985, succeeding several individual initiatives, the first Bengali
script in computers was invented, paving the way for more intense computer
activities.[4][5] In 1995, use of the Internet began and locally made software
started to be exported.
In 1983, the Ministry
of Science and Technology established a National Computer Committee to create
the required policies. The committee was also responsible to carry out programs
to expand and promote the efficacious use of the sector. In 1988, the committee
was replaced by the National Computer Board. In 1990, the ministry reformed the
board and reconstituted it as the Bangladesh Computer Council to monitor
computer- and IT-related works in the country.
In 2013, it was
announced that a seven-year-old Bangladeshi boy, WasikFarhanRoopkotha, would be
listed as the "youngest IT expert" in the Guinness Book of World
Records.
IT
industry
The IT industry is a
relatively new sector in the country's economy. Though it is yet to make
tangible contributions in the national economy, it is an important growth
industry. The Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services
(BASIS) was established in 1997 as the national trade body for software and IT
service industry. Starting with only 17 member companies, by 2009 membership
had grown to 326. In a study among Asian countries by Japan International
Cooperation Agency in 2007–08, Bangladesh was ranked first in software and IT
services competitiveness and third in competencies, after India and China. The
World Bank, in a study conducted in 2008, projected triple digit growth for
Bangladesh in IT services and software exports. Bangladesh was also listed as
one of the top 30 Countries for Offshore Services in 2010–2011 by Gartner.[ The
Internet penetration has also grown to 21.27 percent in 2012, up from 3.2
percent three years prior. As the Internet usage increases, the government
expects the IT sector to add 7.28 percent to GDP growth by 2021.
References
Bss, Dhaka (21 February
2010). "Bangladesh to emerge as software exporter in global market".
The Daily Star. Dhaka. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
"'Bangladesh next
hub in IT sector after China, India': Ed Franklin". Banglanews24.com.
Retrieved 20 July 2013.
Chowdhury, MasudHasan;
Murshed, MdMahbub (2012). "Computer". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed
A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic
Society of Bangladesh.
Ahamed, Syeed. "An
amazing journey from ShahidLipi to Avro". The Daily Star. Dhaka. Retrieved
20 July 2013.
Shakil, Abdus (2012).
"Bangla Software". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia:
National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of
Bangladesh.
Alam, Mahbubul (2012).
"Bangladesh Computer Council". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A.
Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of
Bangladesh.
"Bangladeshi
'computer whiz kid' to get his name printed on Guinness". Dhaka Tribune.
20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
Haque, Zahidul (29 May
2013). Thomas, Anne, ed. "Bangladeshi whiz kid to be listed in Guinness
record book". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
Karim, Habibullah N (6
January 2010). "Bangladesh IT industry going global". The Daily Star.
Retrieved 20 July 2013.
"Gartner
Identifies Top 30 Countries for Offshore Services in 2010–2011". Gartner.
Retrieved 20 July 2013.
"Information
technology to contribute 7.28 percent to GDP by 2021". Bangladesh Sangbad
Sangstha. Retrieved 20 July 2013.