ICT can perform as good as apparel

I would like to draw upon the paradox of the ICT business growth in Bangladesh. The GoB has been optimistic about the ICT export market, which I also feel as having some prospects.

Here in the UK, at one month's hosting cost, I can get 12 months hosting service from Bangladesh. There is no need of submarine cable or whatsoever to spur sluggish growth in our ICT Business. The 11 months' cost saving will lead every individual in the UK to go for the BD hosting service. I have a website which promotes 'Made in Bangladesh' products. I'm now planning to forego the BD ISP and go for an expensive one.

However, cutting cost is not all that businessmen or individuals want the most. They want services against their money. I can say that I am receiving nothing. ISP promises that the subscribers will receive their own administration service i.e., editing and upgrading of their own website.

Practically though, I am not receiving the facility even after repeated cry. Unlike the textile and clothing industries, the importance of customer service in other industries, especially in the ICT, has not acquired urgency as yet.

I strongly believe what the textile and apparel industries have shown or proven to BD and the world can be replicated to many other sectors in Bangladesh. Clothing industry is not the only sector that can import raw materials from overseas and add value to it by exporting finished products.

In fact the auto mobile, retail (food, stationary and so on) and many other industries run on the same principle. For example, we do not have to make the whole automobile in the country. We simply can go for some part of it and then export for final assembly in developed countries.

The ICT market needs to be studied further. There are many things that Bangladesh can do to create more wealth. ICT is just one of the many.