The government has already developed affordable internet for all, payment solutions and logistics infrastructure management to build a sustainable e-commerce ecosystem based on four pillars. State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak has emphasized on gaining ‘buyer’s trust and confidence’ in the e-commerce sector to benefit from this infrastructure. At the same time, the Minister of State for ICT advised to focus on frontier technologies like artificial intelligence instead of relying only on website platforms or mobile apps.

He made this call while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the country’s first global halal brand beauty and skin care e-commerce portal Oh So Go at Hotel Radisson in the capital.

The state minister commented that, 13 years ago, it was very difficult to send a product from Dhaka to villages. But now, you can send your products anywhere anytime, anywhere in the country even outside the country apart from islands or hilly areas. Because, now every union-village of the country is connected with modern communication system. This is why the country’s e-commerce is developing so fast. In this Eid also, about 387000 sacrificial animals were sold online. 27 thousand crore taka has been digitally transacted in this buying and selling.

Stating that some dangerous situations have to be faced in this developing e-commerce sector recently, Palak said, Digital Business ID has been made mandatory by the ICT department for all types of e-commerce businesses to restore customer confidence. Central Grievance Redressal CCMS platform, Central Logistics Trucking Platform CLTP and Interoperable Digital Transaction Platform (IDTP) exchanges have been prepared. CCMS and CLTP will be inaugurated by the end of this year.

If the exchange is inaugurated, apart from multi-dimensional benefits in transactions, the small and cottage entrepreneurs will easily enjoy loan facilities from financial institutions through digital credit rating, said the ICT State Minister. Meanwhile, Palak declared his conviction that Bangladesh will lead the 4th industrial revolution as a smart Bangladesh by 2041.

He said, we need to build smart citizens, smart government, smart economy and smart society in public-private youth partnership to establish this leadership by standing on the foundation of Digital Bangladesh.

Oh so go goodwill ambassador Mashrafe bin Murtaza, actress Mehzabin Chowdhury and Md. Sakhawat Hossain Nirab were present at the event on Tuesday night.

Among others, Director General of Medicines Administration Major General Mohammad Yusuf, Advocate Nahida Sultana Juthi, Oh so go Global CEO Mr. Ankit, Executive Director Sarbes Nevatia, Global Business Head Mr. Sauvik, Venturi Partners Managing Director Rishikesh Chandan, Oh so go Bangladesh CEO Afroz Hossain Arefin, e-CAB former Vice chairman of investment standing committee Farha Mahmud Trina were present on the occasion.

It was informed at the event that Oh so go started its journey in Bangladesh last April with the promise of 100% authentic products and the fastest delivery time. They have formed a delivery team of girls to deliver cosmetics to girls. At the same time, a 10 percent discount has been announced for cash wallet payments.