Digitalisation to help reach new markets: experts

Digitalisation is enabling businesses to reach new markets and help the economy move towards sustainability, according to speakers at a webinar held yesterday.

Bangladesh still lags far behind many of its peers in terms of available ICT services and number of users in the country, they said.

Besides, the country struggles with internet speed and is unable to secure the real benefits of modern technology.

These comments came during a webinar styled, "Digitalisation: country, business and global perspective", organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).

"The world is becoming data and technology-driven. Finance and accounting professionals have to find ways to capitalise on the opportunities of digital innovation," said Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

For example, people are making the most of digital communication technologies amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, he added.

However, Saleheen urged for the careful use of advanced technologies so that it does not inadvertently harm society.

ICAB President Mahmudul Hasan Khusru said over 12 crore mobile subscribers and 4.3 crore internet subscribers in the country were now enjoying the benefits of digitalisation.

Urging the government to allocate more resources for ICT development to make the country run digitally, the ICAB president said digital transformation requires the necessary resources.

The keynote presenter, Mohammad Tufael Chowdhury, said reshaping Bangladesh's society with new technologies would enable businesses to reach new markets, grow faster and more efficiently.

The digital economy has three layers; culture, digital skills, adoption and inclusion, and connectivity infrastructure, he added.

Anir Chowdhury, policy advisor of the a2i Programme, ICT Division and Cabinet Division; Osman Ershad Faiz, chief information and operating officer of AMTD Group, Singapore; Kazi Monirul Kabir, founder & chief innovation officer of Spider Digital Innovations; and Sonia Bashir Kabir, founder of SBK Tech Ventures and SBK Foundation, Bangladesh, participated in the webinar.