Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today announced that effective initiatives are underway to introduce the much-anticipated online payment gateway PayPal, aiming to create large-scale employment through the expansion of information technology in the country. This announcement came in response to a question from treasury bench lawmaker Md Abdul Aziz of Natore-4 in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the prime minister revealed a master plan to issue identity (ID) cards to 200,000 freelancers over the next five years and to train several thousand youths in advanced technologies. Various organizations and departments under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division have embarked on multiple plans and activities to generate employment through the expansion of IT.
The Department of ICT will train 1,000 individuals over five years to develop them as freelancers and provide ID cards to 200,000 freelancers during this period. A total of 7,500 freelancers have already received ID cards, and the programme is ongoing.
The leader of the house stated that 2,400 people will be trained in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and virtual reality in 2026 through the Bangladesh Hi-tech Park Authority. To further accelerate investment and employment, 83 services are currently available online, with plans to add 10 more services within the next year.
A committee has been established to ensure the effective operation of hi-tech and software parks, as well as ICT centers, to facilitate the launch of PayPal services in Bangladesh. Over the next five years, approximately 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students will receive IT training in 20 batches through the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC).
Furthermore, initiatives have been taken to provide training to 5,020 job-seekers and students in areas such as AI, mobile app development, Python programming, data analytics, and cyber security. These will include short courses and one-year diploma and postgraduate diploma programmes.
Efforts are also being made to provide basic computer training to about 700 individuals with special needs, aiming to help them become self-reliant. Additionally, around 700 women entrepreneurs will receive skills development training under the ‘Women in ICT Frontier Initiative’ to create employment opportunities.
Highlighting ongoing programmes, the prime minister noted that under IT training initiatives, 300 students from 15 universities are currently receiving training in the April 2026 session. Training has also been completed for 40 individuals with special needs in basic computer skills and for 20 women entrepreneurs in Wi-Fi-related skills development.