Skill development is key to reviving BD’s IT sector

Bangladesh’s information technology (IT) sector is passing through a critical phase, with a huge gap between export targets and actual earnings, said Syed Almas Kabir, former president of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) who is also Chairman, Bangladesh ICT & Innovation Network (BIIN) and an IT industry expert. Actively involved in Bangladesh’s software, ICT, outsourcing and technology ecosystem, Kabir has significantly contributed to IT skills, entrepreneurship and industry development. In an exclusive interview with Senior Correspondent Mizanur Rahman of the Daily Observer, he discussed IT and outsourcing challenges, global job trends, upskilling, government initiatives, academia, AI, startup financing and the future of IT education. Excerpts of the interview are as follows:

DO: In FY2024-25, Bangladesh set a $5 billion IT export target, but earnings were only around $70 million. As an IT expert and former BASIS president, what do you think is behind this huge gap? Where are we falling behind? 
Almas Kabir: The fundamental problem is the changing nature of work and our lack of skills. In the past, we used to undertake various types of outsourcing and entry-level jobs for international clients. Many of those jobs have now become automated. As a result, foreign clients are no longer outsourcing those tasks to countries like Bangladesh.
The real challenge is that our freelancers and IT companies have not upgraded their skills in line with the changing global market. As a result, we are not getting decision-making or critical, high-value assignments. These jobs are increasingly moving to countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia.

DO: How can Bangladesh overcome this situation?
Almas Kabir: Workers in outsourcing, freelancing and business process outsourcing (BPO) need rapid and continuous skill development. In the IT sector, if you do not update your skills every six months to one year, you will inevitably fall behind.
Improving skills can bring two major benefits. First, we can regain jobs that we have lost. Second, while a freelancer may currently charge around $10 per hour, with higher-level skills, that rate could rise to $25-$30 per hour. This would automatically increase Bangladesh’s IT export earnings by two to three times.

DO: What should be the government’s role in developing skills in the IT sector?
This would help Bangladesh establish specialised expertise in the international market. However, strict third-party audits and accountability must be ensured for all training programmes.

DO: What role can universities and educational institutions play in this process?
Almas Kabir: Our academia and universities need to move much faster. New technologies must be incorporated into their curricula. The University Grants Commission (UGC) can play a major role in this regard.
At present, the UGC may take six months to a year to approve a new syllabus. By the time the process is completed, demand for that particular technology may have already changed. This bureaucratic delay must be eliminated, and there should be a faster mechanism for approving updated curricula.

DO: There has been a perception of stagnation in BASIS, one of the country’s leading IT industry associations. Has BASIS become somewhat inactive?
However, we cannot rely solely on BASIS or private organisations. Since IT skill development is a matter of national interest, the Ministry of ICT, the Department of Youth Development and other relevant government agencies should jointly establish a large-scale training task force with a substantial budget.

DO: We have entered the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Is Bangladesh adapting to this transformation?
Almas Kabir: Frankly speaking, we are not yet able to fully harness the benefits of AI technology. We are still largely stuck at the level of being users.
Our use of AI is mostly limited to generating images, writing articles or producing videos. We are not developing our own AI engines or creating new technologies.
Unless we foster innovation, talent and advanced technical capabilities, we will not be able to significantly increase productivity at the national level.

DO: Are new IT entrepreneurs getting adequate bank loans and financial support?
Almas Kabir: Existing facilities, including collateral-free loans, are still available, and entrepreneurs can access loans of up to Tk 1 crore. 
However, the most encouraging development is the recent formation of a venture capital fund called ‘Ankur Fund’ by 39 private banks. This could play a major positive role in supporting new startups in the IT and innovation sectors.

DO: ICT is taught at the primary and secondary school levels, but there is considerable debate over the curriculum. What changes are needed?
Almas Kabir: Information technology is an extremely dynamic and rapidly changing field. It is impossible to teach today’s ICT using textbooks written five years ago. The curriculum and textbooks should be updated regularly, if not every year. Teachers must also be continuously trained and kept up to date with emerging technologies. Only then can we build a technology-oriented generation from the primary level.