REPORT ON CONTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPEMENT OF BANGLADESH

1. REPORT ON
CONTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY IN THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPEMENT OF BANGLADESH
Assigned by,
SharminAkhter
Lecturer
BBA Department
Southeast University
Submitted by,
30th Batch [Section: 02]
CSE Program
Department of Science
Southeast University
Date of Submission: May 2012

2. Overview of IT system, Use of IT in different sectors
Contribution of IT in Economic developement
Finding and recommendation
A study on IT sector in Bangladesh

3. Group Members
ShamratJakaria 2012000000002
NishatAnjum 2012000000003
Fariha Ahmed 2012000000008
Tanzila Islam 2012000000022
ZunayedShahriar 2012000000026

4. May, 2012
Sharmin Akter
Lecturer,
Department of BBA,
Southeast University.
Dear Madam,
Here is the Term Paper on Contribution of Information Technology in the
Economic Development of Bangladesh that you asked us to submit on May, 2012.
In this report the concept of IT, its importance, and its activities are discussed first.
Then overview of IT section, use of IT in different industries, contribution of IT in
the economic developementwhich are the practical implication of IT are discussed.
It was my pleasure to complete this report. I have prepared this report with my
utmost earnestness and sincere effort. Please let me know, if you have any query
concerning the report.
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Tanzila Islam
ID#2012000000022
30th Batch, Sec-02
Dept. of CSE
Southeast University

5. Preface
In twentieth century we have witnessed an extensive growth of internet
based services in our every sphere of life. The use of information technology has
been a core element using by the government as a communication way to its citizen.
E-services delivery is present in developing countries but the erudition is still in
immaturity level. Most local governments only provide published information and
downloadable forms. Most local government sites provide only one way
communications. All are still at the basic level of publishing information online.
Before implementing and developing any e-services, the authorities should know
the expectation to the service from the users and it is also important to know the
usability of the e-service in order to develop it with more usability function so that
the users will satisfy by using the service. We are in the era of knowledge economy
and those who are able to achieve faster access to information and knowledge will
remain ahead of others. Librarians can play a significant role in ensuring that their
users get the latest information as quickly as possible. The application of ICT in
libraries today is indispensable. It enlarges the scope of acquisition, processing,
organization and dissemination of information and knowledge; it raises speed,
reduces cost and over comes space, time, language and media barriers. It links
knowledge sources with researchers and creates knowledge network.

6. Introduction
Information Technology (IT) encompasses the board fields of data or
information processing and communications by means of computer and
telecommunications techniques and tools and is being increasingly used for
organizational or personal information processing in all sectors of economy and society.
It is a rapidly growing part of today's society. It affects everyone's life in many
aspects. Every human endeavor is influenced by information technology and the
increasing rate at which what it can perform includes. It is concerned with the use of
technology in managing, especially in large organizations. In particular, IT deals with the
use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect process,
transmit, and retrieve information. Information Technology has reduced a variety of
positions in the work place today. Positions ranging from cashiers, security personnel,
typists and teachers to analysts, supervisors and managers and even higher levels of
management have been eliminated. As new technology emerges, corporations will
constantly review their business practices and processes to enhance their operations as
well as cut costs. It is essential for efficient management and operation of any industry
or corporation. So it must be used in any organization to keep pace with the business
world. This document presents the policy guidelines for the development of the IT
sector in Bangladesh.

7. Overview of it system of Bangladesh
Bangladesh has a relatively long experience in the use of computers - the first
"second generation" computer was installed in 1964 at Dhaka and very soon some of
the large banks and industrial concerns started using computers, mainly for accounting
and payroll applications. The utility companies also started using the bureau facilities of
these installations for their customer billing. Unfortunately, the financial crisis that the
country faced immediately after its independence in 1971 did not permit the
sustenance of this early lead and lack of maintenance forced the closure of most of
these installations.
Internet Service Provider
The highest peak time charge (Internet usage fees) now is about Taka 1.50 paisa (6:am
to 6:PM) and the lowest - off peak time charges is around 00.20 Paisa (2: 00pm to
6:00am) depending on the ISP.Grameen Cyber net (an ISP) has the largest number of
subscriber base (about 6000) and the current bandwidth available now - what local ISP's
are providing, ranges from 64kbs to 2mbs (BOL Online Ltd. and Proshikha are providing
2mbs access).Due to the failure of the government the country could not able to obtain
a link to the sub-marine cable and also due to negligence in government policies the
country domain .bd is still not functioning properly.
Few local ISPs are:
1. BDCOM Online Ltd., http://www.bdcom.com
2. Aftab Net, http://www.aitlbd.net
3. Agni Systems, http://www.agni.com
4. BRAC BDMail Network, http://www.bdmail.net
5. Access telecom Ltd., http://www.accesstel.net

8. 6. Trans-Net Systems Ltd., http://www.transbd.net
7. Global Online Services, http://www.globalbd.net
8. Drik, http://www.drik.net
9. Proshika, http://www.bdonline.com
10. BOL Online Ltd., http://www.bol-online.com
11. ISN, http://www.bangla.net
12. GrameenCybernet, http://www.citechco.net
13. Spectra, http://www.ssl-idt.net
14. AB Network Ltd., http://abnetbd.com
Sustainable development Networking Programmed (SDNP), a non-profit ISP is
working in the field of providing digital connectivity to academics, national and
international agencies and development partners. This project is financed by the UNDP
and executed by the Bangladesh Institute of development Studies. Utilizing SDNP
backbone, Internet services could easily be extended to the remotest regions of
Bangladesh through its regional hubs and information centers. In June, 1996 the
government decided to allow private companies to act as Internet Services Providers
(ISPs) using VSATs. At present, there are about 22,000 account holders with the ISPs ( 8
in Dhaka and 2 in Chittagong) and the total number of users would be around 100,000.
The slow speed of access provided by VSATs ( max. 128.8 kbps) is a major constraint. A
number of Cybercafés providing e-mail and Internet browsing facilities have been
opened in Dhaka city; these are quite popular among the young generation. Public
kiosks with internet facilities are also being planned.

9. IT Village
An Information Technology village is going to be set up very close to Dhaka.
The government has already made 18 acres of land available for setting up this IT
village. This would be similar to the Software Technology Parks in India. All the
infrastructure, including high-speed telecommunication facilities ( 2 Mbps link) would be
provided. These would enable the small companies to move into buildings with readily
available facilities. Since this is going to take at least two years, a decision has been
taken to initially set it up in an existing building in Dhaka. BTTB has already established a
network for providing Internet connectivity and plans to start commercial service very
soon. The proposed tariff rate should make Internet connection affordable to a larger
cross-section of public. BTTB is also establishing a fiber optic backbone in the country.
They also plan to offer ISDN service very soon using the facilities of the already installed
digital exchanges in Dhaka and Chittagong cities.
IT Field
In order to enable the young entrepreneurs in the IT field, a special fund has
been created by the government to provide working capital loan without any collaterals.
A venture capital fund is also being set up. The banking procedures are also being
amended and simplified to reflect the different nature of software transactions. A large
number of Bangladeshis are now working in the IT field in different companies in USA
and are gradually moving up the organizational hierarchy. The government is trying to
get the assistance of these non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) in IT development,
particularly by giving them incentives to set up software companies in Bangladesh.
Some of the local firms have already succeeded in exporting software, although the
total amount is not very large. One firm has been producing CDs with searchable
database for US and Latin American clients. CAD conversion work and web-page design

10. work are also being undertaken. Taking advantage of the considerable number of
COBOL programmers who were trained in the sixties and seventies, a number of firms
are doing work related to the Y2K problem. ERP software is being developed by a local
firm in partnership with Microsoft.
Data Entry Services
Although the possibility of export of data entry services and software from Bangladesh
has been discussed for over a decade, only a few companies were successful in getting
some work from outside. In June 1997, the Government of Bangladesh appointed a
Committee to look into the problems and prospects of export of software from
Bangladesh. The Committee submitted its report in September, 1997. It contained 45
recommendations, both short term and medium term; some of these recommendations
have already been implemented and the government has asked different concerned
ministries to go ahead with implementing the other recommendations.
Employment for Unemployed
A substantial number of educated unemployed youth forces, with ability to
read and write English, exist in the country. They can be trained in the required skill
within a short time. Quite a few Bangladeshi skilled professionals have been working
abroad. They can be encouraged to return to the country and collaborate with
Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, provided proper environment is created. Universities in
Bangladesh are turning out an increasing number of graduates in Computer related
subjects every year, although the number is much less than the requirement. A large
number of Bangladeshi students are studying overseas in Computer related subjects. A
wide range of Hardware platforms, from Mainframe to PC, are available.

11.  Reasonable skills exist in the following areas:
Operating System: Windows, Windows 95, MAC/OS, Novell Netware,
WindowsNT,UNIX.
Programming Language: C++, Visual Basic, Visual FoxPro, COBOL, RPG, OOP, J++.
RDBMS: Oracle, Informix, DB/2.
Bangladesh offers a very attractive cost-effective wage level, viz. Bangladesh India U.S.A.
Programmers (per month): US$ 400 to 800 US$ 1,200 US$ 4,500 Data Entry (Per 10,000
keystrokes) US$ 3 to 5 US$ 10 US$ 30 to 50
Human Resource Development in IT field
The government has placed top most priority to human resource
development in the IT field. At present, the annual output of graduates in the IT field
would be around 500. The target is to produce 10,000 programmers annually by the
year 2001. There are about 24 Universities offering undergraduate degree programmes
in IT-related fields. All the four BITs (at Rajshahi, Chittagong, Khulna and Gazipur) are
also planning to offer undergraduate degree programmes in computer science and
engineering from next year. The 20 Polytechnics are also introducing 3-year diploma
programmes in Computer Technology. In addition, a large number of educational and
training institutes, many of them with linkage with foreign institutions, are also offering
training courses. One of the major problems faced by these institutions is the shortage
of trainers. Recognizing this problem, the GOB Committee (referred to earlier)
recommended that BCC should take up a crash programme to train at least 1000 high-
level trainers by the end of 1999. Moreover, the absence of adequate physical resources
(e.g. computer hardware and software) and weakness in course contents in the training
institutions will adversely affect the quality of output from these institutions. An
accreditation system is planned to be introduced by the government soon.

12. VAT
The government has taken a decision recently (June, 1998) to withdraw all
import duties and VAT from all computer hardware and software. This has brought the
prices of computers down to a level affordable by middle income households and sales
of PCs have soared during the last few months. A 80-90% annual growth in the number
of PCs sold is expected this year.
International Programming Contests
Bangladeshi students have recently been participating in international
programming contests. For example, in the ACM Inter-collegiate Programming Contest
held at Atlanta, USA, last year, the team from Bangladesh University of Engineering and
Technology which had earlier emerged as the regional champions secured the 24th
position, above many of the reputed universities in USA (including Stamford University).
In the on-going ACM programming contest on Internet, the performance of Bangladeshi
students is among the best - out of the top 25 positions, 17 are now occupied by
Bangladeshis. In the Regional ACM Inter-collegiate Programming Contest held in Dhaka
recently, teams from Bangladesh (particularly from BUET) performed much better than
those from other countries of the region (including India, Sri Lanka and Iran). BUET was
the first institution to offer post-graduate degrees (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) in Computer
Science and Engineering. Some other institutions have also initiated research
programmed in IT related fields. These include Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition,
Speech Recognition, Automatic Translation, Computational Algorithm, VLSI and 3-D
Vision. Considerable research work has been done in the use of Bangla in computers.
Unfortunately like R&D in other fields of science and technology, there is very little
interaction between academia and industry.

13. Software Copyright Protection
The lack of any copyright protection for software has been one of the major
deterrents in the growth of software industry. A software Copyright Protection Act has
already been drafted and is expected to be enacted very soon. One of the major
constraints in the initial stages of computerization of government offices was the non-
availability of Bangla software and Bangla fonts in printers. The breakthrough came
when the PCs were introduced in the early eighties and very soon desktop publishing
using computers became very popular. Bangla version of many of the commonly used
packages like world processing, spreadsheet and database management has been
developed.
The present government has recognized IT as one of the priority sectors and is
providing all support to the private sector to enable them to enter the export
market for software and data processing services. Recognizing the bright future of
IT, a large number of students, young professionals and businessmen are taking
keen interest in acquiring knowledge about computers and its applications. This is
reflected in the tremendous enthusiasm generated in the International Computer
Show organized by Bangladesh Computer Samity. It is expected that within the
next 3 to 4 years, IT applications in Bangladesh would not only spread to private
and public sector offices and industrial units, but Bangladesh would emerge as a
regional hub for software development.

14. Use of IT in different industries
An information system is essential for efficient management and operation of the
Industries. But there is a shortage of locally generated information needed for efficient
performance of these sectors. In order to develop a dependable information system, IT
use in all sectors shall have to be accelerated in terms of information generation,
utilization and applications. Considering the gravity and importance of IT, those
industries Use Information Technologies for their first level Working. Over the last few
years, many nations have taken advantage of the opportunities afforded by IT within a
policy framework, laid down guidelines and preceded with the formulation of a national
IT strategy as a part of the overall national development plan. Bangladesh intends to use
IT as the key driving element for Industries development.Use of Information
Technologies in Different Industries of Bangladesh is vast. Those Industries Use
Information Technologies for various Prepossess.
Education Sector
 E-book
E-book is an online based educational system. It was introduced in Bangladesh
in 2010. In 2011 online version of the school textbooks, launched for the primary and
secondary students to give them free access to ICT based education, got a huge
response as over one million visitors visited the site in just three months.
E-book

15.  E-Learning
We all know that knowledge is the backbone of a nation. Without education
no nation can prosper. So to develop a country the people must not be illiterate. In
Bangladesh most of the rural people are illiterate. The easiest way to get some
knowledge is electronic learning. Electronic learning is nothing but learning through
mobile phone and internet. We all know internet is an ocean of knowledge and
information. Now the mobile phone company has come forward with the idea of
learning through mobile. Country’s biggest phone company “GrameenPhone” first
launched an e-learning service. Eventually the other phone company came up with this
service. In this service one has to call to the specific number and follow the process to
get the desired information. This is an easy and low cost way to get educational
information.
E-Learning

16.  OMR technology
Optical Mark Recognition also called Optical Mark Reading and OMR, is the
process of capturing human-marked data from document forms such as surveys and
tests. Now it is used in education sector. One of the most familiar applications of optical
mark recognition is the use of bubble optical answer sheets in multiple choice question
examinations. Students mark their answers, or other personal information, by darkening
circles marked on a pre-printed sheet. Afterwards the sheet is automatically graded by a
scanning machine. Lozenge marks are a later technology and have the advantage of
being easier to mark and easier to erase. The large 'bubble' marks are legacy technology
from the very early OMR machines that were so insensitive a large mark was required
for reliability. In Bangladesh, a special marker is used to fill in an optical answer sheet.
Students likewise mark answers or other information via darkening circles marked on a
pre-printed sheet. Then the sheet is automatically graded by a scanning machine. It is
very helpful for our education sector.
OMR Technology

17. Medical Sector
 Advanced Treatment Technology
Although sophisticated medical technology is already available in health
systems in developed countries, further advances are constantly being made. As a result
of the addition of medical nanotechnology to existing knowledge of molecular and
cellular biology, it seems likely that new, more personalized, more accurate and more
rapid diagnostic techniques will be devised in the future, as well as new treatments that
are also more personalized and promote regeneration of the organism. Clearly, as areas
of research such as biomaterials or tissue engineering are developed for use in
regenerative medicine, the range of opportunities will increase dramatically.
 Advanced Medical Instruments

18. Our Science Laboratory Equipment portal provides all the current knowledge
and development about Medical Instruments & Equipment throughout the world wide
information. All the health organization and professionals can up to date themselves
about all new lunching instrument and equipment which mostly used in developed
hospital and different laboratory of world. Medical Instrument and equipment are useful
for diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of disease. It is just a
scientifically device which is vastly use in medical and laboratory to find out proper
diagnosis about disease and easier for every medical PR actioners.
 Invention of Effective Medicine
Information Technology (IT) has transformed the ways modern healthcare
systems acquire, store, access and communicate medical information. These
developments offer significant benefits to patients and healthcare providers, but they
give rise to ethical and legal challenges in the protection of patient privacy and
confidentiality. The traditional and humanistic concept of doctor-patient relationship is
also under threat as IT is used to bypass the need for personal consultations. One
effective approach to continue the use of IT in medicine while minimizing its potential
hazards is through legal reforms and setting public standards for accessibility and
expression of patient autonomy. Ultimately, the role and limitations of IT as a tool to
pursue the goals of medicine has to be carefully deliberated, clearly defined and
judiciously delineated to ensure its effectiveness and safety.

19. Fring
Use of IT in Global Communication
 Web Messengers
Web Messengersuse for instant messaging which can only be used by
Internet. Via web messengers we can communicate by message even voice with each
other. Nowadays it’s a very popular way for communication because it’s a faster way to
communicate with each other.
● Web Messengers for PC
Skype
Yahoo Messenger
MSN
Google Talk
● Web Messengers for Mobile
Mig33
Ebuddy
Nimbuzz

20.  Social networking
A social network is a theoretical construct useful in the social sciences to
study relationships between individuals, groups, organizations, or even entire societies.
The term is used to describe a social structure determined by such interactions.
Facebook
Twitter
Linked IN
My Space
Google+
 Dish/Cable Network
Nowadays dish/cable network plays a very important role in global
communication. From dish channels we can be up to date with the latest world easily.
We can get news of home and abroad via this way very fast. We can learn much about
the culture of the other countries. It’s like that we are communicating with each other.
These channels provide many educative and creative programs. It’s also a good
entertainer for childs and companion for the old people. In Bangladesh we have about
200+ dish channels. Most of them are very good. It’s really helpful to us and one of the
best technology provide by the IT sector.

21.  Online Newspaper
An online newspaper, also known as a web newspaper, is a newspaper that
exists on the World Wide Web or Internet, either separately or as an online version of a
printed periodical. Going online created more opportunities for newspapers, such as
competing with broadcast journalism in presenting breaking news in a timely manner.
The credibility and strong brand recognition of well-established newspapers, and the
close relationships they have with advertisers, are also seen by many in the newspaper
industry as strengthening their chances of survival. The movement away from the
printing process can also help decrease costs. In Bangladesh, Online Newspaper is
known as E-Paper. Now, some of the main dailies of our country provide E-Paper to
their websites. “E-kaler-kantho”, “E-Prothom-alo”, “E-Jugantor” etc. are the popular E-
paper in our country. Nowadays it’s become very popular to everyone specially
businessmen and students.Because it can be read through PC, Tablets, Smartphones etc.
So that anyone can read this any place on a faster and easier way.
E-Paper

22. Advanced Security
 CCTV Camera
CCTV camera is one of the inventions of IT. Closed Circuit Television
(CCTV)cameras are acting as the major protector in the field of security. Our security
cameras are efficient enough to secure the outdoor as well as indoor premises.
CCTVcameras are used in order to give protection against burglaries, theft and many
other fraudulence activities. Now, one can also record the various movements going on
in the premise using the Digital Video Recorder (DVR)device. These devices can be used
to monitor a particular event for a period of time or it can be used to record the event
continuously depending upon the requirement. Surveillance through CCTVcameras is
becoming very common day by day because of their reliability, efficiency and
usefulness.
CCTV Cam

23.  Online Tracking Technology
As an important police activity, criminal investigation heavily relies on
recovery, analysis and interpretation of information. Since information technologies
facilitate creation, storage, retrieval, process and dissemination of information, police
departments have extensively employed them in investigative activities. However,
information technologies’ impact on the outcome of criminal investigations is still
unclear. This study examines whether use of information technologies makes an impact
on the outcome of criminal investigations. The analysis results revealed that there is not
a consistent relationship between police departments’ use of information technologies
and their clearance rates. In addition to this finding, this study made an important
methodological contribution to the literature by showing that unbalanced data may be
an important source of concern for observational studies of police departments, and it
should be carefully investigated before conducting any inferential analysis. In
Bangladesh, there is a popular vehicle tracking system which is provided by “Geoplan
Bangladesh”. The organization already has earned people’s faith.
Online Tracking Technology

24. Contribution of IT in the Economic
Development
Information Technology or IT has opened a new era of development in every
sector of Bangladesh. IT doubtlessly contributes a lot in the economic development of
Bangladesh. All sectors of our economy are developing day by day due to the
contribution of Information Technology. This sector is not only contributing in countries
development but also lessened sufferings of people. It had made things easy and fast
along with developing. Now illiterate people can also get their work done easily in low
cost with the help of information technology. IT sector is developing our economy by
developing the business sector, agriculture sector, banking sector, health sector and
education sector. The contribution of IT in all these sectors is written below:
Business
eBusiness

25. Information Technology (IT) refers to techniques used in business for
transmitting, storing, manipulating and retrieving all kinds of data, including speech,
text, movie, graphics and reports of events such as equipment malfunction, intrusion
etc. Typically, Information Technology relates to the hardware and software that
businesses use to manage and operate a range of business processes. Most businesses
network their computers so that information can be shared. Examples of the use of IT in
business include:
 Storing information about products such as stock control using sophisticated
databases.
 Making business calculations such as costing and profit calculations using
spreadsheets.
 Providing advertising and promotional literature using computer graphics
packages.
 Processing information, writing letters, and other documents using word
processing packages.
 Internal communication using fax, e-mail and other methods of
communication including telephone linking.
 Using presentation software such as Power Point to make colorful
presentations.
 Creating websites as a promotional and informational tool for an
organization.

26. Electronic Banking
Electronic banking or E-Banking allows banks to expand their markets for
traditional deposit taking and credit extension activities and to offer new products and
services. E-banking was first introduced in Bangladesh in 2009. Various forms of e-
banking are available in Bangladesh. They are ATM, SMS Banking, Tele Banking, Online
Banking etc. Online banking and ATM are very popular these days.E-banking is fast and
easy banking system. In case of traditional banking system a fund transfer, for instance,
used to takeseveral days whereas electronic banking is capable to perform the
sameoperations within few seconds.E-banking can improve the quality of the services,
save customers valuable time, movement from one place to another and receiving the
goods accurately.By using Tele banking people can get their banking information, stock
exchange transaction, bill payments, statements through mobile phone. SMS banking
and Mobile banking are almost same as Tele banking. ATM is a faster way to get money
any time by using credit card.Online banking or internet banking is a term used to
perform transactions, payments etc. over the internet through a bank’s secure
website. Internet banking not only provides banking facility round the clock but also
helps a country to get attached to the international economy as well as banking. People
throughout the world are now getting engaged with more activity and banking and
hence need the fast and anytime access to his/her bank account. Internet banking also
E-Banking

27. facilitates buying and selling various products which varies country to country.E-
bankinghas brought a new channel of distribution process. But this leads to change in
the regulatory issues, cross border trade through emerging new marketing distribution
channel. This reduces transaction time, boundary less trade, and accuracy. E-banking
reduces cost and increases working opportunity. It also helps the illiterate people by its
Mobile and Tele banking form along with helping in economic development. The
demand of E-banking is increasing and it is becoming popular day by day.
Electronic Shopping
E-shopping is an online shopping system. One can buy products from any
shop of any country through online shopping. This is a secure and fast shopping process.
In Western world online shopping is very popular. In Bangladesh Online shopping trends
is comparatively new and most importantly Bangladeshi people are not habituated in
shopping online like other countries due to lacking of proper virtual money processing
system like PayPal. But it is getting popularity day by day. In the past one year, nearly a
dozen online shopping portals or e-trading platforms launched operations, offering
E-Shopping

28. products and services from vegetables, clothes, computer accessories to books and
travel tickets. An increased use of internet-enabled mobile phones also added vigor to
online shopping. Some online stores buy products at prices lower than the rates quoted
in showrooms. E-shopping is helping the customers getting the right thing at a low cost
in a very short time. On the other hand the due to the increasing popularity of online
shopping system more companies are becoming interested in online selling. If the
number of online selling store increases more job opportunity will come forward and
our economy will take another step in development.
Electronic Fund Transfer
Bangladesh Bank (BB) is now offering debit transaction facility under its
electronic fund transfer (EFT) network to provide people an easy, faster and hassle-free
service, especially for giving tax, utility bills and remittance transfer. This service is less
expensive and easy. Some mobile phone company also has come forward with this
service. Now people can get and transfer their money from any part of the country. This
service is getting popularity day by day, thus helping our economy.
EFT

29. Agricultural Sector
 Electronic Purjee
The term ‘purjee’ refers to the order of buying the sugarcanes from the
farmers.The ‘e-purjee’ is the system where farmer get the order of buying sugarcane
through SMS in his mobile instantly after issuing the purjee by computer software. But,
in the manual system, the purjee was sent to the farmer by hand that’s why they didn’t
get the purjee on time, although it had a validity of 3-day.The digital e-purjee system
introduced in the sugar mills a year back has ensured a faster delivery order to the
sugarcane growers putting the production of sugar up by 38,760 tons in 2010-11
seasons. Due to the easier process of e-purjee, farmers supplied 15, 81,907tons of
sugarcane in the season that was almost double compared to the previous crop season.
The turn up of issued purjee has also been increased by 10.53 per cent after the
introduction of electronic system.
E-Purjee

30.  E-Agricultural Information
E-Agricultural information is nothing but the agricultural information which
can be getting through mobile phone. Agriculture is the most promising asset of
Bangladesh. Our economy mostly depends on our agriculture. But the very hard labor of
our farmers gets all in vain due to their illiteracy. Most of our farmers are illiterate and
they are unable to get proper information for cropping crops. But if they get their
desired information very easily and with a little education their labor won’t get in vain.
Keeping this in mind mobile phone company Banglalink came up with a new service
called “BanglalinkKrishibazaar” in 2011. By this service, any Banglalink customer can dial
“2474” to get registered in Krishibazaar, record his/her own desired agro product
information for trading or browse through by listening to other's uploaded information
and call up that trader instantly using the service to finalize the coveted deal.
The information of the products is available by categories, prices, locations etc to make
the process easier for the targets.In 2012RobiAxiata Ltd has introduced a one-of-a-kind
agriculture based service call RobiHaat-bazaar.The service is intended to help
agricultural marketing, which is an essential tool for uninterrupted supply of products to
the consumers. Farmers in the rural areas can achieve potential benefit from their
produce if they have access to the markets in which they sell their harvest. ‘RobiHaat-
Bazaar’ is an integration of two important services; ‘Bazaar Dor’ and ‘Krishibazaar’.
These services not only just helped the farmers but also helped our economy to take
another step in development.
BanglalinkKrishibazaar RobiHatbazaar

31. Conclusion
In today’s world, we live in an age of Information Technology. It has made our
life easy and comfortable. We cannot think of our modern life without Information
Technology. It has made space in banking, business, agricultural sector, shopping,
education sector and many others. IT continues to develop rapidly as the key underlying
technologies of semiconductors, disk drives, and network communications improve at
exponential rates. Constant improvements in the underlying technologies make possible
new IT applications that affect all areas of society, including the economy, households,
government, and the R&D enterprise. The present government has recognized IT as one
of the priority sectors and is providing all support to the private sector to enable them
to enter the export market for software and data processing services. Recognizing the
bright future of IT, a large number of students, young professionals and businessmen
are taking keen interest in acquiring knowledge about computers and its applications. It
is expected that within the next 3 to 4 years, IT applications in Bangladesh would not
only spread to various private and public sector offices and industrial units, but
Bangladesh would emerge as a regional hub for software development. Information
Technology is the greatest of all conquers both past and present. It knows no defeat. It
is really like Aladdin’s lamp. It does today what was supposed to be impossible
yesterday. Where it will end nobody can say, but this much can be said that it will go on
working and creating much more in the days to come. It has established itself firmly in
our hearts. We need IT ever before.