Page 46 - SAMENA Trends - September 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Pakistan IT Exports Surged By 46% in July-August 2021

Pakistan’s ICT exports have witnessed a world. Naturally, this has meant that that further highlights the emphasis on
46% increase to $420 million in the July- Pakistan’s IT companies have had their freelancing activity in the country. Last
August 2021 period. Overall, technology hands full trying to fulfill orders from month, the government also announced
exports in August of this year represent various export markets. Moreover, the jump the establishment of a Rs10 billion fund for
an 80.6% increase over the same period in exports can also be attributed to a rise in providing cash rewards to IT companies
last year. During the fiscal year 2020-21, freelancing activity in Pakistan. According against their exports. The government is
Pakistan’s IT exports increased 47.4 per to the International Labour Organization also set to offer a five per cent rebate on
cent and crossed the $2 billion mark for Flagship Report 2021, Pakistan has been these exports. Moreover, the government
the first time in the country’s history. On ranked as the second-largest supplier of is working to introduce Special Technology
the other hand, in the fiscal year 2019- online labour in software development and Zones (STZs) all over the country to further
20, the exports were $1.44 billion. The technology. Federal Minister for IT and boost the IT industry. Experts suggest
impressive growth in IT exports has been Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque that if a package for IT and telecom gets
observed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 inaugurated a portal for online registration implemented, the exports could jump to $4
pandemic, which grew the demand for of freelancers at Pakistan Software Export billion.
automation and IT services all over the Board (PSEB) earlier this month in a move

Mobile Internet Speed Increases By 15% in Bangladesh

In the last one year, the speed of mobile average of 31.87 % in July this year. This to 55.07 Mbps. And the average download
internet in Bangladesh has increased by information was obtained by analyzing speed of mobile internet in Bangladesh in
15.38 %. However, at the same time, the the data of the recently published Internet July last year was 10.92 Mbps. In one year,
average speed of global mobile internet Speed Testing and Analysis Institute it has been 12.6 Mbps. According to the
has increased by 59.5 % according to ‘Ookla’. According to the information organization, the top 10 countries in terms
Ookla speed testing parameters. As published on the company’s website, the of mobile internet speed in 2021 are: United
such, the growth rate of mobile internet speed of mobile internet in Bangladesh Arab Emirates, South Korea, Qatar, China,
in Bangladesh is about one-fourth of the has increased by 15.38 % in the last year. Cyprus, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
global average. Although the average At the same time, the global mobile internet Australia, and Bulgaria. Bangladesh’s
of Bangladesh is worse than the global speed has increased by 59.5 %. According position in the Ookla’s Mobile Internet
average in mobile internet, the speed of to the company, in July 2020, the average Speed Index is nearing completion. Like
broadband connection is ahead. Compared download speed of mobile internet in the in June, Bangladesh was at 135 in July.
to July last year, the speed of broadband world was 34.52 megabytes per second However, 137 countries were on the list in
connectivity in the world increased by an (Mbps). In July this year, it has increased the June report and 139 in July.

Bangladesh’s First Electronic Payment Processing Platform Launched

Citibank, NA Bangladesh and MetLife the convenience of digitally paying their Country Officer, said speaking of the
Bangladesh have joined hands to introduce premiums through bank accounts and it importance of such an initiative. Ala
the country’s first-ever receivable host- does not require physical visits to banks Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of MetLife
to-host (H2H) solution using Bangladesh to pay premiums. The platform is said to Bangladesh, added, “At MetLife, we strive
Bank’s EFT Debit (Electronic Fund Transfer) have been delivered through sophisticated to enable technological advancements
network. This solution is expected to technology integration between MetLife to make our insurance experience better
enable MetLife Bangladesh to further Bangladesh and Citi’s award-winning and more convenient for customers.
enhance the effectiveness of its EFT online banking platform CitiDirect BE. More and more customers now prefer
premium collection from a large number The two organizations shave inaugurated electronic channels for premium payment,
of customers, who use this channel, as this new electronic payment processing and it’s a priority for us to collaborate
digital insurance premium payments platform through a recently held virtual on strengthening the diverse range of
through electronic funds transfer from event, they said. “One of our core missions premium payment channels for our over
a bank account is gaining popularity, in Bangladesh is to bring innovation and 1.0 million customers.”
according to a news release. The central new products which benefit the local
bank’s EFT Debit provides customers with industry,” N Rajashekaran (Shekar), Citi

46 SEPTEMBER 2021