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ITC pushes for export diversification in software industry at WSIS Forum

7 June 2012

ITC News

Bangladesh takes centre-stage at WSIS Forum 2012, while ITC’s Anders Aeroe highlights role of information and communications technology in creating growth in low and medium-income countries.

Bangladesh was presented as a case study for software-industry development at the 2012 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum, which took place on 14-18 May, during an interactive facilitation meeting dedicated to e-business.

Anders Aeroe, Director of ITC's Division of Market Development, who chaired the session, said that a thriving information and communications technology (ICT) sector can contribute significantly to economic growth in low and medium-income countries, in the same way it does in richer countries. A vigorous ICT industry, he said, supports the sustained use of new technologies to strengthen emerging economies, making them more productive and more efficient.

Mr Mahboob Zaman, President of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), presented a study showing that 65% of the country's population is under the age of 25. He pointed out that Bangladesh has a population that is interested in ICT, intelligent, creative and eager for challenges, but is held back by infrastructural problems.

Building foundations for growth

The local market is essential for Bangladeshi IT companies as gives them a foundation for growth and a platform to expand abroad. Mr Zaman said that governmental support is vital for the development of the domestic software industry, adding that Bangladesh's educational system has to encourage the development of skills that support the IT industry, which in turn will attract foreign clients and investments.

Since the first WSIS Forum was held in 2003, ITC have joined forces with UNCTAD in organizing the session on e-business, focusing on how countries can use information and communication technologies to promote innovation and ensure sustainable economic growth and job creation.

The 2012 WSIS Forum was held at the International Labour Organization Conference Centre in Geneva on 14-18 May. Bangladesh’s participation was facilitated by the NTFII Bangladesh project, with the financial support of the Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries.

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