The government has taken the initiative to launch the long-awaited online payment gateway PayPal in the country. This step has been taken to increase employment through the expansion of the information technology sector, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said.
At the same time, a master plan has been adopted to provide ID cards to 200,000 freelancers over the next five years and to train several thousand young people in advanced technologies.
On Wednesday, in response to a written question from Member of Parliament Md. Abdul Aziz of Natore-4 constituency in the National Parliament, the Prime Minister shared this information.
The Prime Minister said that a committee has already been formed to initiate PayPal operations, and work is ongoing to move the matter forward. There are plans to issue ID cards to around 200,000 freelancers over the next five years, of which 7,500 have already been distributed. At the same time, initiatives have been taken through the Department of Information and Communication Technology to develop new freelancers.
Various plans have also been taken to build a skilled workforce in the high-tech sector. Through the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, 2,400 people will be trained in 2026 in fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality.
In addition, the Bangladesh Computer Council will conduct ITEE (Information Technology Engineers Examination) training for around 1,000 undergraduate/graduate students in 20 batches over the next five years through various training programs.
Through the BCC, initiatives have been taken to provide short-term training in AI, mobile app development, Python programming, data analytics, cybersecurity, as well as one-year diploma and postgraduate diploma training for 5,020 job seekers and students. Programs have also been undertaken to make around 700 people with special needs self-reliant by providing basic computer training.
The government stated that currently 83 services are being provided online to increase investment and employment in the ICT sector, and there are plans to add 10 more new services within the next year.
