Published : 10 Aug 2026, 02:16 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:31 AM
The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) has called for stronger policy support for digital innovation, investment and ICT-led growth, while urging greater private-sector participation in shaping the country’s digital future.
At a policy dialogue in Dhaka on Sunday, attended by the Prime Minister’s Telecoms Advisor Rehan Asif Asad, the chamber welcomed recent government measures on data protection, digital taxation and technology-related imports, while pressing for clearer rules and a more investment-friendly regulatory environment.
The dialogue, titled “Accelerating Bangladesh’s Digital Future: Policy Priorities for Innovation, Investment & ICT-Led Growth” was held at The Westin Dhaka, a media statement said.
In a statement, AmCham said its President and Mastercard Vice-President Syed Mohammad Kamal welcomed the government’s ratification of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), noting that the final law incorporated most of the chamber’s recommendations following its longstanding engagement.
The statement also welcomed measures in the Finance Act 2026, including tax exemptions for freelancers and content creators and customs relief on computers, digital devices and semiconductor-related materials.
Kamal, however, called for clearer rules on the new digital permanent establishment provision tied to the 100,000-subscriber threshold.
AmCham quoted Kamal as urging the government to reconsider raising the turnover tax on internet service providers to 1.5 percent of gross receipts and to ease inbound and outbound international payments for technology firms and startups.
He also stressed that involving foreign investors in policymaking and national business forums could bring global expertise and international best practices to Bangladesh, helping create a more competitive, transparent and investment-friendly business environment, according to the statement.
Advisor Asad outlined five government priorities for the ICT and telecom sector: predictable policies under a five-year tax framework, stronger mobile and broadband connectivity, digital public infrastructure, development of AI-ready talent, and expansion of electronics manufacturing.
According to AmCham, Asad said the telecom sector faces an effective tax burden of 51 to 56 percent, compared with a global average of 22–27 percent, and highlighted the removal of the SIM tax.
He also noted that Bangladesh ranks seventh globally in subscriber numbers but continues to lag in service quality.
The government plans to build digital public infrastructure around “One Citizen, One ID, One Digital Wallet”, based on Estonia’s X-Road platform.
Asad said the system would be offered free of cost and connect citizens’ IDs with bank accounts and the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
On electronics manufacturing, he called for incentives similar to those provided to the garment sector, citing Vietnam’s increase in consumer electronics exports from USD 1 billion to USD 217 billion in a decade, AmCham said.
Moderated by AmCham ICT Subcommittee Chair and Oracle Country Managing Director for Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan Rubaba Dowla, the dialogue focused on four areas: a competitive digital economy, trusted digital infrastructure, AI and innovation, and government-industry collaboration.
Representatives of Citibank NA, Cisco, HSBC, Mastercard, MetLife, Pathao, PwC, Standard Chartered Bank, ShopUp, Visa and other member companies raised issues including open-loop ticketing for metro and toll systems, international access to Bangla QR and the “One Citizen, One Wallet” initiative, according to AmCham.
AmCham said Asad promised that Startup Sandbox provisions would be refined in consultation with the wider startup community and identified national cybersecurity as his immediate priority.
He also announced that work on a national AI policy would begin in the fourth quarter through a joint team involving the private sector, government, academia and researchers.
Asad stressed the need to increase submarine cable capacity. New submarine cables take two to three years to build, making additional capacity crucial to the country’s digital sovereignty.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from AmCham Vice President and MetLife Bangladesh CEO Ala Uddin Ahmad. AmCham said the dialogue brought together its Executive Committee, ICT-sector members and US Embassy officials, with Cisco supporting the event.
