One of the biggest impacts that the increasing digitalization of Bangladesh has had is on the state of our commerce; no longer tethered to old-fashioned brick and mortar, Bangladeshis now enjoy the same digital conveniences as the more developed nations around the world.
So much so that this rapid development has caught the attention of the UN’s global trade body, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
According to UNCTAD’s report, titled Bangladesh Rapid eTrade Readiness Assessment, our nation has set an example when it comes to laying down a digital foundation for the people -- which is in-line with the current administration’s “Digital Bangladesh” initiative.
In fact, our growing digital infrastructure has helped attract increasing numbers of foreign e-commerce companies, as is evident from the proliferation of ride-sharing and food delivery services.
Clearly, we are doing this right.
However, as always, there are many areas we need to improve. For example, this progress has yet to be translated into the other parts of the country, more specifically our rural areas, where connectivity and a lack of skills hinder digital development.
These are also areas that stand to benefit greatly if brought under the digital net, as it would provide a welcome boost to communications, and help the nation decentralize, proving relief to our heavily populated urban areas.
The future is digital, and Bangladesh is all-in.
