Apps and games development institutes on way

A prospect of creating 2,000 new jobs in the IT industry is being planned with a vision to cross boundaries of our current economy. This is no revolution in the globe, but it certainly is a revolutionary prospect for Bangladesh. Apps and Games development is the new initiative for the ICT division of the government. A USD $100 bn global market, the extension of IT in this field will enable youths, the target employment demographic, to jump on board and drive the industry.

Training is being setup, costing around Tk 281 crore, utilizing 525 trainers, 8,750 app developers and 2,800 game animators, along with marketing and content experts, who will receive high-level training. Focus initially is towards the local 13 crore mobile users, who currently suffice their demand through software imports. This is the targetted turnaround, while tapping into local opportunities

Internet "non"-penetration

Bangladesh has fifth largest offline population globally: WB

In a recent World Bank study has found that Bangladesh has about 148 million population still out of the the reach of internet connection. This makes the country the fifth largest offline economy in the globe. India, China, Indonesia and Pakistan are ranking higher in the list above our country. The study also stated that 60% of the worldwide population are outside net of digital connectivity.

Bangladesh national statistics reports otherwise and have dismissed the World Bank's figures. BTRC has provided national statistics of total active internet connections to be 53.94 million as of November 2015, which is significantly different from the World Bank's estimates of 11.98 million. Internet penetration from BTRC is reported to be above 34% currently. This figure is accepted as official.

ICT horizons

Government plans to earn $5bn from ICT sector by 2021

The hope of US $5 billion earnings from the ICT industry is a part of the vision to springboard Bangladesh's growth rate by 2021 contributing 5% to GDP.

In a press conference, the ICT State minister summarized the developments of the ICT sector in the previous two years alongside expressing plans for the future of ICT. He outlined the security sector, to be receiving the promising support of the ICT Division. Digital security act and digital forensic labs are part of the plan, for this current year.

Emerging IT

IT: the next bright spot

Since the laydown of the foundation for "Digital Bangladesh 2021" in 2008, Bangladesh has attracted electronic giants and business consulting brands to Bangladesh, ranked satisfactorily amongst outsourcing countries and managed competitive freelance work above some top fully IT-enabled economies. The figures for IT in Bangladesh stand at US$ 600 million total value, including 1500 firms and 40 offshore development centers. Samsung has setup research and development center in Dhaka; Bangladesh has been ranked 26th out of 50 outsourcing destinations; and it is ahead of China, Canada and UK in terms of freelance work.

Hi-Tech Park progressively planned in Gazipur

TechnoSity to invest $25.8m in hi-tech park

Bangladesh TechnoSity Limited a newly established Malaysia-Bangladesh joint venture has been issued the development of the 3^rd Block of the proposed high tech park in Kaliakoir in Gazipur. Investing $25.80m for infrastructure development, it will be increased by 10-12 times upon necessity. TechnoSity will create infrastructure in 40 acres of land and will