Ensuring priority for local software companies first challenge

Mustafa Jabbar talks to The Independent

There are two major challenges in front of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS). One is controlling the domestic market and the other is ensuring participation of local companies in software tender by bringing some changes in government policy.
The newly elected Digital Brigade panel leader in BASIS election Mustafa Jabbar told The Independent yesterday while talking about the election that held on Saturday.
The country has billion dollar software market that is likely to be at least doubled in three years, he said.
Highlighting that foreign software is unnecessarily being bought especially by banking sector of the country, Mustafa Jabbar said: “Through the process, I would say, chances are being created for money trafficking.”  
While a local software can be bought with Tk 2 crore, foreign software is being bought with Tk 100 crore, the IT expert said.
Bangladesh has proved its skill in developing software in the 1980s and  Software, installed in multinational company Volvo installed developed in Bangladesh,  he said. Mentioning Beximco Group has developed banking software in 1980s, Jabbar said private banks in the country are importing software and hiring foreign people for itsmaintenance.
“The country is not benefiting rather it is witnessing
some unnecessary spending,” he said.
About banking theft he said if banks used local software at least some people can be found for interrogation but now no one can be held responsible for the recent Bangladesh Bank heist.
Talking about software export from Bangladesh, Mustafa Jabbar said: “Though the ministers say that software of Tk 400 million is exported. But we hardly have any clear idea about that.”
Mentioning that huge software market has developed in Bangladesh due to digitalisation, Jabbar said: “Our market is larger than Europe. Foreigners want to occupy software sector of the country. Our duty is to prevent them.”
“But there is no objection for accepting foreign technology. We will take talent, technology from others but we must try to engage our people,” he said.  
Jabbar said he is working hard to ease misunderstanding between software developers and the government, to change the mind set that foreign countries are the best for private entrepreneurs and to bring change in government policy. Software is connected to internet. Due to tax, surcharge and supplementary duty on internet subscribers have to spend 22.5 per cent extra. The system should be withdrawn as if use of broadband increases 10 per cent GDP grows 1 per cent, he said.
“BASIS plans rapid expansion of the e-commerce sector. Its first duty is to make a policy where interests of stakeholders, who are involved with e-commerce, are protected,” Jabbar said.
He also said software industry will fight growing cyber risks. “We have made a draft for digital security act. If the act can be turned into a law then it would help progress in holistic approach.”

Ensuring priority for local software companies first challenge

Mustafa Jabbar talks to The Independent

There are two major challenges in front of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS). One is controlling the domestic market and the other is ensuring participation of local companies in software tender by bringing some changes in government policy. The newly elected Digital Brigade panel leader in BASIS election Mustafa Jabbar told The Independent yesterday while talking about the election that held on Saturday. The country has billion dollar software market that is likely to be at least doubled in three years, he said. Highlighting that foreign software is unnecessarily being bought especially by banking sector of the country, Mustafa Jabbar said: Through the process, I would say, chances are being created for money trafficking. While a local software can be bought with Tk 2 crore, foreign software is being bought with Tk 100 crore, the IT expert said. Bangladesh has proved its skill in developing software in the 1980s and Software, installed in multinational company Volvo installed developed in Bangladesh, he said. Mentioning Beximco Group has developed banking software in 1980s, Jabbar said private banks in the country are importing software and hiring foreign people for itsmaintenance. The country is not benefiting rather it is witnessing some unnecessary spending, he said. About banking theft he said if banks used local software at least some people can be found for interrogation but now no one can be held responsible for the recent Bangladesh Bank heist. Talking about software export from Bangladesh, Mustafa Jabbar said: Though the ministers say that software of Tk 400 million is exported. But we hardly have any clear idea about that. Mentioning that huge software market has developed in Bangladesh due to digitalisation, Jabbar said: Our market is larger than Europe. Foreigners want to occupy software sector of the country. Our duty is to prevent them. But there is no objection for accepting foreign technology. We will take talent, technology from others but we must try to engage our people, he said. Jabbar said he is working hard to ease misunderstanding between software developers and the government, to change the mind set that foreign countries are the best for private entrepreneurs and to bring change in government policy. Software is connected to internet. Due to tax, surcharge and supplementary duty on internet subscribers have to spend 22.5 per cent extra. The system should be withdrawn as if use of broadband increases 10 per cent GDP grows 1 per cent, he said. BASIS plans rapid expansion of the e-commerce sector. Its first duty is to make a policy where interests of stakeholders, who are involved with e-commerce, are protected, Jabbar said. He also said software industry will fight growing cyber risks. We have made a draft for digital security act. If the act can be turned into a law then it would help progress in holistic approach.