The trailblazers in the ICT sector are set to be recognized yesterday with the Brac Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards for their contribution to the development of the country’s IT sector.
This edition of the ICT Awards, now in its eighth year, aims to recognize IT entrepreneurs who have played a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s ICT sector, while also fostering innovation and excellence among ICT talents and businesses. The Daily Star has been honoring remarkable achievements by IT entrepreneurs since 2016.
During the ceremony, set to kick off this evening at the Le Meridien Dhaka, the hospitality partner of the event, Planning Minister MA Mannan will present awards to five companies and one individual. The Daily Star is the organizing entity, in collaboration with Brac Bank, and with the support of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS).
The ICT sector is a rapidly growing industry in Bangladesh, recognized as one of the most promising sectors with a projected worth of $5 billion by 2025, as per the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida). With over 4,500 IT and ITES firms employing more than 750,000 ICT professionals and contributing to export earnings, the industry’s growth is evident.
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In 2019, export earnings exceeded $1 billion, boasting a compound annual growth rate of 21 percent since 2013, according to Bida. Furthermore, Bangladesh boasts a significant presence in the online freelancing market, with 6.5 lakh registered freelancers in 2017, making it the second-largest pool of online workers globally, capturing a 16 percent market share, just behind India’s 24 percent. Among these freelancers, 500,000 actively participate, collectively earning an annual total of $100 million.
Source: The Daily Star
