Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Bangladesh's software market is estimated at US$ 200 million with the information technology sector experiencing a steady growth, propelled by growing trends in outsourcing and domestic demands.
Textiles and pharmaceuticals, two dominant sectors of the economy, are the biggest buyers of software services, according to an industry analysis.
"The service sector is embracing automation while local banks are fast getting e-linked," said the analysis carried out by Bangladesh Association of Software & Information Services (BASIS), the Financial Express, the country’s lone financial daily, reported.
However, it noted that the public sector is not lagging behind as 57 per cent of local software enterprises are involved in implementing government's IT projects.
Besides, some of the companies are developing software such as Billing, SMS Based Applications etc. tailored to cater to the booming telecom sector, he added.
An estimated 7,000 IT professionals are employed in more than 400 software firms in the country.
According to the survey by BASIS, a significant portion of technical professionals in the software industry are involved in non-coding activities such as project management, system analysis, system architecture, and quality assurance.
Bangladeshi software companies are specialized in different software and ITES (IT-enabled services) including Customs application and maintenance, animation, games, mobile and wireless applications, e-Commerce, and business process outsourcing.
Currently, more than 80 local companies are exporting software to more than 30 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain), Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
Around 3,000 software professionals are engaged in export related work.
At least 40 offshore development centers (ODC) and joint ventures started working during the last 2-3 years, out of which 10 are with Danish IT firms, according to the reports.
BBN/SI/SS/AD-25October08-12:29 PM (BST)