The government has set an ambitious target to create one million jobs in Bangladesh's information and communication technology (ICT) sector over the next five years, positioning the digital economy at the heart of its long-term employment and economic transformation strategy.
The initiative forms part of a broader plan to generate 10 million jobs nationwide, fill more than 500,000 vacant government posts and facilitate overseas employment for two million workers annually as Bangladesh moves toward its goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2034.
The targets are outlined in a draft economic strategy prepared by the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission and presented to the government's Advisory Committee on Economic Strategy.
Under the roadmap, the government aims to raise GDP growth to 8% by FY2029-30, expand the economy to $749 billion and bring inflation down to 5%.
According to the draft, around 200,000 direct jobs will be created in high-growth sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, business process outsourcing (BPO), semiconductor technology, data analytics and Industry 4.0.
The remaining 800,000 jobs are expected to come from the continued expansion of Bangladesh's freelancing and digital services industry.
The government believes the country's growing pool of young technology professionals and expanding digital ecosystem can drive employment in both domestic and international markets.
To achieve the target, the government plans to expand high-speed internet access nationwide, strengthen the software and hardware industries, and introduce a national e-wallet with international payment capabilities, including PayPal services, to simplify cross-border transactions for freelancers.
The strategy also prioritises improving digital infrastructure and creating a more enabling environment for technology entrepreneurs and startups.
The proposed FY2026-27 budget includes several measures to support entrepreneurship and innovation, including a Tk400 crore entrepreneurship fund, tax incentives for startups and young and women entrepreneurs, turnover tax exemptions for technology-based businesses, and continued tax relief for freelancers.
Officials said the measures are expected to stimulate investment, encourage innovation and create new employment opportunities in the ICT sector.
With global demand rising for AI specialists, cybersecurity experts, cloud engineers and data professionals continues to grow, the government also plans to strengthen digital skills development to ensure Bangladesh's workforce remains competitive.
Experts said closer collaboration among the government, educational institutions and industry would be essential to equip young professionals with skills for emerging technology careers.
Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Minister for Science and Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam said the government is committed to making the digital economy a major source of employment.
"We are working to transform the digital economy into one of Bangladesh's key employment drivers. Continuous initiatives are underway to develop skilled ICT professionals, attract investment in technology industries and strengthen Bangladesh's competitiveness in the global digital market," he said.
Policy experts said Bangladesh has already emerged as one of the world's leading freelancing destinations and has significant potential to further expand its digital economy.
They said sustained investment in digital infrastructure, skills development, startup ecosystems and emerging technologies could help the country meet its employment targets while strengthening its position in the global technology market.
If implemented effectively, the government's digital employment strategy could become a key pillar of Bangladesh's next phase of economic growth, creating quality jobs for young people and accelerating the country's transition toward a knowledge-based economy.