Booming freelancing industry

That the freelancing industry is booming thanks to an increasing demographic of young, creative and dynamic Bangladeshis is certainly a cause for celebration, especially for a country with a high youth unemployment rate. Around 5.5 lakh registered Bangladeshi freelancers are leading the revolution, accelerating the pace of innovation and outperforming competitive rivals from across the globe. In fact, of 186 countries, Bangladesh in terms of earnings is ranked as the seventh most popular outsourcing destination.

What is even more encouraging is that our youth are on course to earn about $100 million a year by 2020 working freelance from home, which is five times more than what they are earning from jobs outsourced by companies abroad currently. In a fast-paced global economy marked by rapid technological advances, that our youth are not only managing to compete in but coming out on top signals an exciting future for the country.

With flexible work hours, high income and a great degree of independence, it is no wonder that freelancing is appealing to entrepreneurial youngsters. Even those without university degrees or other qualifications can get jobs if they can prove to be efficient, innovative and savvy. This means that, if fostered, the freelancing industry can be a much-needed boon for unemployed young Bangladeshis whose hitherto untapped creativity can be channeled through freelancing more effectively than through low-paid, tedious jobs.

The government must nurture this booming industry, provide necessary incentives and live up to its promise of a 'digital Bangladesh' if the sky is to be the limit for our innovative youth.