 Bangladesh has become a large ground of potential human resources with bright aptitude, quality and natural ability in software development. Bangladesh can be a huge arena of skilled human resource with its cultural adoption capability, foreign language skill, analytical capability and huge number of educated and energetic youths. Software export has achieved the highest growth in recent years, as more than 100 software and IT service companies are exporting their services to around 30 countries in the world. Although a majority of the companies are exporting in the North American Market (mainlyUSA), recently there have been encouraging performance by a good number of companies in European and East Asian (mainly Japan) market. Among the hundred export focused companies, at least 30 companies have been set up either as joint venture (between foreign and local entrepreneur) or as ODC (Offshore Development Centre) with hundred percent foreign investment. Most of these joint ventures/ODCs have actually been set up during last couple of years. Major Countries where Software and ITES companies export
A number of software companies are following standards (ISO and CMMi) sternly at a hale and hearty pace. It has grown to be a custom and competition among the companies when it comes to quality software processes. To meet the high quality standard of offshore jobs and to comply with the expectation of overseas clients, the companies in Bangladesh are rightly focusing on putting in place global standard practices and processes. Over twenty companies have already got ISO certification and about six companies have achieved CMMi Level 3. A number of software companies are following standards (ISO and CMMi) sternly at a hale and hearty pace. It has grown to be a custom and competition among the companies when it comes to quality and software processes. To meet the high quality standard of offshore jobs and to comply with the expectation of overseas clients, the companies in Bangladesh are rightly focusing on putting in place global standard practices and processes. Over twenty companies have already got ISO certification. A number of companies are in the process of acquiring CMMi certification and by 2008 at least six companies are going to get to Level 3 in CMMi. In Crain’s New York Business, a front page article titled “Outsourcing Moves to Bangladesh” discusses how Bangladesh is a rising star in the international economy with industrial analysts from Goldman Sachs to Cisco Systems predicting that it has high potential to follow in the successful economic steps of the giant next door – India. Government provides financial support (60% of the salary/allowance cost) for recruiting interns (fresh graduates) by any software companies. For this program which started in 2005, Government has allocated budget for 1,000 interns for every year. Language for instruction for engineering, computer science and business studies in the undergraduate and graduate level is English, making the country a very suitable harbor for outsourcing software projects. European Union has already ranked Bangladesh as one of the top 20 outsourcing destinations in the world Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) is the national trade association representing software & IT services companies of Bangladesh. Formed in 1997, the association has been working with the vision of developing efficient and vibrant software & IT services industry in the country as well as turning Bangladesh into a pioneer destination for outsourcing. Currently BASIS has over 260 members including leading software and ITES companies who account for the lion’s share of the total software & IT services revenue of the country. Some of the important regular activities and programs organized by BASIS include organizing yearly IT mega exposition ‘BASIS SoftExpo’, facilitating participation of BASIS members in different international IT shows and events, arranging business linkage programs for members with foreign clients/partners, policy advocacy in different related areas like taxation, infrastructure, financing facilities for the industry etc. BASIS has gained strategic and logistic supports from different international bodies such as DFSME, Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCIP), JETRO, JICA, IT-Branchen, UK Trade & Investment, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, T&E Finland etc. Information Technology is one of the thrust sectors of Government’s short and long term planning. Institutional financing in conventional and confessional window is ensured. Government and private sectors are increasingly going for mass automation with an aim to e-Governance with its huge base of skilled ICT human resources. Foreign companies can utilize the Technical and English capable resources for globalization. Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Rights Law are well defined and have been formulated in the parliament to cover the nondisclosure agreement required by the companies to carry outsourcing projects. Bangladesh is now connected to Submarine Cable Network SEA-ME-WE-4, which provides an Internet bandwidth of 24 GB. Currently, all the major cities within the country are connected through high speed fiber optic backbone. All parts of the country are accessible though Internet provided by the ‘last mile connectivity’ through wireless (GPRS/EDGE or WiMAX technology). Consistent link for Phone, Fax, Mobile connectivity and high speed satellite link for the data communication is the established norm now. In pursuance of the recommendations of World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), Geneva 2003 – Tunis 2005, the present Government is committed to building an effective Information Society in the country as well as connecting to a second submarine cable soon. With noteworthy potential still unexploited, it is anticipated that the global sourcing phenomenon will continue to expand in scope, range and geographic coverage. As global delivery matures, multi-location strategies will become the norm and most sourcing destinations, including emerging locations, will develop in volume.
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