Page 65 - IBT December 2020

We have been e-Commerce in South Asia at the
beginning of 2019.
working on the With DIU, we conducted several
e-Commerce workshops on various topics and
sector with quite a themes of e-Commerce for their
students. We are currently
few local partners, working on developing a 3-credit
including the university course on e-Commerce,
Federation of which will be offered to students
from mid-2021 and later to other
Bangladesh universities.
Chamber of With e-CAB, we first worked on
an e-Commerce Policy called
Commerce and “Digital Commerce Policy” in
Industry (FBCCI), 2018. We organized country-wide
Daffodil seminars at eight divisions of
Bangladesh to promote
International e-Commerce in rural areas. We
University (DIU), have also conducted week-long
e-Commerce Training called
and most recently, “Business to e-Business” in
the e-Commerce Dhaka, Chottogram, and online.
Association of We are currently working on an
e-Commerce book (training
Bangladesh module), which will be available
(e-CAB). both in print version and
Despite the considerable downloadable PDF version.
growth of the ICT sector over
the last decade, what factors Can the e-commerce sector
have held back the be used to empower and
e-commerce sector? How mobilize the MSME(s) across
does FNF Bangladesh plan to Bangladesh? How can FNF
In what ways will a strong help the sector in addressing FNF Bangladesh has Bangladesh make the sector
e-commerce sector help in these challenges? previously arranged multiple (e-commerce) more inclusive
Bangladesh's socio-economic The local e-Commerce sector has workshops aiming to assist towards the MSME(s)?
development? been riddled with numerous the e-commerce sector. Can Of course! We have already seen
We are a country of more than one problems such as unregulated you please share some details e-Commerce becoming an
hundred and sixty million people growth, lack of adequate policies, on them? essential part of our lives during
with a very high youth cross-border issues, and We have been working on the the countrywide lockdown. It also
unemployment rate. The inadequate distribution channels. e-Commerce sector with quite a paved the way for small
e-Commerce sector can help foster We are working with the few local partners, including the businesses across the country to
the growth of MSME (Micro Small e-Commerce Association of Federation of Bangladesh reach customers and, in turn,
and Medium Enterprises) and Bangladesh (e-CAB) on a policy Chamber of Commerce and generate considerable revenue.
develop new entrepreneurs and level. The first e-Commerce Policy, Industry (FBCCI), Daffodil Friedrich Naumann Foundation
start-ups. It will create a lot of also known as “Digital Commerce International University (DIU), for Freedom (FNF), as a liberal
employment opportunities and Policy,’ was developed at the end and most recently, the foundation, values individual
alternative revenue streams for of 2018, and it requires regular e-Commerce Association of freedom above all. We are
the youth. When traditional updates and improvements to Bangladesh (e-CAB). supporting our partner
business was struggling during cater to challenges. FNF South With FBCCI, we conducted quite a organizations working in the
the pandemic, e-Commerce Asia regional office is also few training sessions on e-Commerce sector to help the
became a lifeline for people living working with the SAARC Chamber e-Commerce and Online Business MSMEs learn and achieve
in cities across the country. The of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) for their directors and members. sustainable growth.
easy transition process of doing to improve cross border issues in We also published a research The ideal atmosphere for MSMEs
business online helped many and South Asia. FNF Bangladesh has report on e-Commerce in will be a free-market economy. We
kept the Bangladesh economy also conducted several dialogues Bangladesh at the end of 2017. are working for a better
running during the lockdown and conferences on the regulatory Our regional office, FNF South regulatory environment to
period. It can be emulated at a framework and distribution Asia, in partnership with SCCI, achieve sustainable growth in the
larger scale with investment and channels for the e-Commerce published a regional paper on e-Commerce sector by including
infrastructural development. sector. Cross Border issues of MSMEs.

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