Dhaka: Prime Minister’s Adviser Rehan Asif Asad today emphasized the potential of the ICT and telecom sectors in significantly contributing to the country’s GDP, projecting a possible increase to 15 percent with the establishment of a supportive ecosystem, policy framework, and investment environment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Asad, speaking as a special guest at a seminar organized by the Telecom and Technology Reporters’ Network (TRNB), pointed out that the direct contribution of these sectors presently stands at 0.63 percent, with a broader ecosystem contribution nearing 6 percent. He highlighted the BNP-led government’s commitment to prioritizing the ICT and telecom sectors, aiming not only for a large subscriber base but also for globally top-tier service quality.
Rehan Asif Asad addressed the high effective tax rate for mobile operators in Bangladesh, which ranges between 51 and 56 percent, contrasting it with the global average of approximately 22 percent. The country’s low tax-to-GDP ratio of 6.5 percent, as reported by the World Bank, poses challenges in tax reduction. Despite this, the government plans to make gradual progress in addressing these issues, focusing on enhancing international competitiveness and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), which currently stands at 0.34 percent of GDP compared to Vietnam’s 4.63 percent.
Asad stressed the necessity of predictable policies in VAT, tax, and customs duty for business planning in the telecom and IT sectors. He underscored the importance of affordable devices for expanding 4G and 5G services, advocating for mobile manufacturing initiatives similar to those in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and China. The government’s spectrum strategy now aims at creating an ecosystem and ensuring economic development, alongside revenue generation.
The seminar also featured Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General (Retd) Emdad Ul Bari as the main discussant. Bari emphasized the telecom regulator’s goal of building a subscriber-centric industry through balanced policies and a diversified connectivity ecosystem. He announced plans for a National Connectivity Master Plan, with a committee and roadmap in preparation.
Bari highlighted the importance of technology-agnostic service delivery and a vision-driven strategy for connectivity, access, and digital services. He mentioned the BTRC’s spectrum management roadmap, with upcoming auctions for the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz spectrums, and addressed concerns over market monopolies, noting the new licensing regime’s preventive measures.
The event concluded with a call for objective media reporting to support informed policymaking and industry growth. Barrister Shahed Alam of Robi presented a keynote paper, and TRNB President Samir Kumar Day chaired the seminar, with General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin delivering the welcome address.