Global Net Report: A report by BBC Bangla on September 23, 2020, stated that Bangladeshis are working in 172 countries worldwide. According to the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), approximately 2 million Bangladeshis go abroad for employment in the public and private sectors every year, most of them on labor visas. Additionally, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) 2022 report, there are about 5 million expatriates, and it is estimated that by 2024, there will be about 7.5 million expatriate Bangladeshis. According to a Daily Star report on July 2, 2024, remittance in the 2023-24 fiscal year was about $24 billion. This means that on average, an expatriate sends $3200-$3500 in remittance per year, which is about $250-$300 or 30,000-35,000 taka per month. An expatriate sends 40-50% of their earned money to Bangladesh as remittance. This means their average monthly income is 50,000-70,000 taka. However, this makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy, especially in our import-based economy. According to a Bonik Barta report on February 21, 2025, Bangladesh is going to face more pressure in the international economy. Economic relations with the outside world mainly include the country’s imports, exports, remittances, foreign loans, investments, and aid. A review of Bangladesh Bank’s data shows that currently, all sectors except remittances are in a negative trend. In addition, there are geopolitical conflicts, rising commodity prices and supply disruptions due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, global economic recession, and financial instability. Over the past few years, prominent economists have repeatedly called for strengthening initiatives to increase remittances by exporting skilled manpower and bringing expatriate money into the banking channel.
Bangladesh has been earning foreign currency by exporting skilled manpower to various countries for a long time. Most of this manpower is engaged in construction, domestic work, agriculture, and other labor-based professions. Although this plays an important role in our economy through remittances, what could be Bangladesh’s economic potential if we focus on exporting skilled manpower in information technology (ICT)?
Let’s Imagine a Different Story
Currently, there is a huge demand for information and communication technology (ICT) jobs worldwide. ICT doesn’t just mean ICT experts; there is a global demand for very specific skilled manpower in information technology. If we can create 2 million skilled ICT professionals every year and their average monthly income is at least 300,000-500,000 taka, then a lot of foreign currency can come into the country from their income. If this manpower sends only 40% of their earnings to the country, then Bangladesh will be able to earn $75 to $100 billion in remittance per year. Within 5 years, this ICT skill development plan can take Bangladesh to new heights in the global economy.
What if we can take the right plan to export skilled manpower in information technology?
The question may arise, why is ICT manpower export important? Below are the 5 main reasons that I find most significant:
- Global Demand – There is a huge demand for skilled professionals in the global market in sectors like software development, cyber security, data analytics, cloud computing, AI, blockchain, and digital marketing, as well as data entry, virtual assistants, social media managers, graphic design, video editing, content writing, copywriting, web research, transcription, online customer service, SEO specialists, digital marketing, WordPress development, user testing, Fiverr/Upwork profile management, email marketing, online tutoring, animation and motion graphics, affiliate marketing, customer review management.
- High Income and Improved Living Standards – ICT professionals are paid much higher than traditional labor, which is more economically beneficial.
- Creating Alternative Export Sources – By building a technology-based economy, Bangladesh can compete to create alternative export sources in the global market.
- Increased Foreign Investment – High-quality technological skills will increase the potential for multinational companies to invest in Bangladesh.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset – Information technology-centric initiatives have the potential to significantly improve the agriculture, education, and health sectors.
Therefore, if Bangladesh adopts a plan to create skilled manpower in information technology, it will not only contribute to economic growth but also play an important role in the country’s social development. Bangladesh will be able to create a strong position in the world’s largest technology market and will be able to build an advanced digital economy in the next 5-10 years.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) 2022 Sample Vital Statistics Report, the number of young people aged 15-24 is about 40 million, which is more than 20% of the total population. The 2023 report states that about 35% of these young people, or 10.2 million youths, are currently inactive. These young people can be transformed into skilled manpower by providing education in healthcare, social security, and ICT sectors. Strategic focus on technology education can strengthen Bangladesh’s position as a technology-dependent workforce in the global market, along with Bangladesh’s economic growth.
Information technology is one of the most important and talked-about sectors in today’s world. The IT revolution has transformed the world into a “global village,” where communication is possible instantly across borders. However, Bangladesh has not yet been able to take full advantage of this globalization. Although we are proud of our internet connectivity, we still have a lot to do to build a technology-based skilled workforce.
Instead of being known as a country of cheap labor, Bangladesh needs to focus on developing technology-based talent. For this, students and parents need to be involved in ICT education from the primary level. Not only high-tech parks, freelancing hubs, or digital training centers should be built; ICT education needs to be taken as part of the basic education system, just as children learn A (apple), B (ball), C (cat) in their first education, they should also be taught (A) Abacus, (B) Bluetooth, (C) Computer in their first education. A coordinated effort of teachers, parents, government, and students is needed to make this successful.
Students need to be introduced to modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, robotics, cloud computing, cyber security, web 3.0, and machine learning. We must believe that if we can make clothes for the world, we can also make robots. However, this is not possible only through seminars, workshops, or establishing high-tech parks on paper; rather, robotics and advanced technology education should be included in the school curriculum from the very beginning so that they can learn by playing without fearing ICT education.
ICT Olympiad Bangladesh is working to realize this goal. Although this initiative faced various challenges in the beginning in 2021, it achieved great success in 2022. In the first phase, it connected more than 200 educational institutions and 18,000 students. Currently, in the second season, it is working on a larger scale with about 70,000 students, more than 2,000 ICT teachers, 3,000 ICT ambassador students, and more than 100 IT companies. The platform is working on 21 different ICT segments, which will help align Bangladesh’s technological progress with global trends. The main goal of the ICT Olympiad is not just to organize competitions, courses, or events, but to popularize ICT education at all levels.
Mohammad Shahriar Khan, the founder and CEO of ICT Olympiad Bangladesh, is an information technology entrepreneur and computer scientist. Besides running his own software business, he is also involved with several tech startups. He believes that ICT can be one of Bangladesh’s main export sectors, and therefore, he is working to promote ICT education at home and abroad. His dream is that Bangladeshi students will be involved in ICT education from the very first day.
But the reality is quite alarming. Various reports have shown that 60-70% of the country’s digital labs are dysfunctional, and most computers and laptops have become unusable due to lack of maintenance. As a result, many students take practical exams but cannot get hands-on experience. Some schools have only one computer, which is used only by the teacher, and students are forced to learn by watching from a distance. Another matter of concern is that many educational institutions do not have trained ICT teachers, and even those who have teachers lack practical training. In this age of globalization, the role of Bangladesh’s ICT sector should not be limited to awarding prizes, workshops, or architectural projects. We need to specifically determine where we stand on the global ICT map. If we compare ourselves with neighboring India or other countries, we will realize that we are still far behind.
The government and the private sector need to work together to build Bangladesh as a world-class ICT hub. Shahriar Khan strongly says that the government must realize the huge potential of the ICT industry and ensure that it is properly utilized. To realize this potential, ICT education needs to be made attractive.
