Daraz Bangladesh has organized a virtual panel discussion titled “E-commerce ecosystem for all” with a focus on an inclusive ecosystem on February 24 on their Facebook page.
Moderated by Jabed Sultan Pias, Head of Business, Prothom Alo, industry insiders and experts participated in the seminar. Daraz has held this policy dialogue so that well-informed policy decisions could be made by means of careful consideration of the insights shared by the participants.
The discussants in the seminar were Tipu Munshi – Minister of Commerce and Industry, Zunaid Ahmed Palak – Minister of State for ICT, Muhammad Abdul Wahed Tomal – General Secretary (E-CAB), Syed Almas Kabir – President (BASIS) and Syed Mostahidal Hoq – Managing Director, Daraz Bangladesh.
With new technologies popping up every now and then, our country is experiencing exponential growth in the e-commerce business, which is, in turn, playing a full part in the resuscitation of the economy. Key speakers at the seminar talked about different aspects related to the growth of the e-commerce sector in our country.
Tipu Munshi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, said, “We have progressed tremendously in the e-commerce sector. The rate is equivalent to the progress that was expected three years later. Our e-commerce sector has even played a pivotal role during the pandemic. Owing to e-commerce businesses it was possible to reach needy people with TCB products during the pandemic. We will soon come up with a policy involving all the stakeholders.”
State minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak shared, “Digital commerce is contributing significantly in the materialization of Digital Bangladesh. The government has ensured three things that are prerequisites for the expansion of e-commerce – access to high-speed internet, digital payment system and trust. Even our premier advised people to buy cattle from online marketplaces during the last Eid-ul-Azha. Such words from our PM has instilled trust in cross-sections of people as far as e-commerce is concerned. E-commerce has also played a role in balancing the participation of women in the ICT sector. Because of different e-commerce sites like Daraz entrepreneurs can now sell local products to the foreign buyers.”
Syed Mostahidal Hoq, Managing Director, Daraz Bangladesh, said at the webinar, “We want the policy to be e-commerce ecosystem-friendly that will help grow the sector. Three points should be covered in the policy – implementation of an easy process meant for convenience of the customers, issues related to cross-border e-commerce and
inclusion of those in import and export policies and proper address of the challenges of online payment systems. If we can do so, e-commerce sites will have 5 crore customers and be able to create more employment by 2025.”
In a nutshell, growth of the e-commerce sector as a contribution to the economy of this country, requirements to instigate further growth, creating a smooth operational process, ensuring compliance in terms of operations and delivery at all levels, protecting customer interest, the role of e-commerce sector to attract new foreign investment and ensure youth employment along with the development of proper skills and ensuring industry transparency were the key areas of discussion at the seminar.
However, the discussants underscored the necessity of drafting an e-commerce policy to make sure that the sector grows in a systematic and harmonious way, and people involved in this industry get the chance to tap into the potential of this flourishing sector.
