Impact of trade in services on employment in Bangladesh: A case of the IT sector

This report explores the impact and potential of the rise of Bangladesh’s IT exports, its linkages with employment and policies, and actions required for realizing that potential. It uses both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The qualitative techniques include an analysis of a database created from a survey of 300 IT firms in Bangladesh and responses from several interviews of stakeholders. The quantitative techniques use national accounts, labour force, and export and import data in simulation exercises. The report underlines the need for Bangladesh to consider policy measures for the enhancement of productivity and the competitiveness of IT enterprises. The report also emphasizes complementary policies such as skills training, amendment of different laws to facilitate online payment systems, education sector reforms, etc.