Experts at a seminar in Dhaka today emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment and increased nationwide awareness about the implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh. They highlighted that the adoption of 4IR technologies, rather than causing job losses, could create significant opportunities and redefine roles within the sector.
The seminar, titled "The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Bangladesh," was jointly organized by SME Foundation and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), Bangladesh, at Parjatan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area.
Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, Managing Director of SME Foundation, chaired the event, where ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury served as the chief guest.
“There is a fear among people that they would lose jobs in case of adoption of 4IR technologies in the SMEs sector. We first need to remove this apprehension, saying that it would invite many opportunities,” said Anwar Hossain.
Noting that there are 78 lakh small and medium entrepreneurs throughout the country, he said the entrepreneurs would need to cope with the changed situation.
In his keynote address, Dr. Kazi Muheymin-Us-Sakib, a professor at Dhaka University’s Institute of Information Technology (IIT), highlighted the need for collaboration between government, industry associations, and academia to facilitate the transition. He underscored the importance of policy implementation, ongoing monitoring, and continuity, alongside raising awareness about 4IR implications.
Dr. Sakib recommended conducting a detailed analysis of current conditions, developing proprietary tools and technologies, sharing resources, and organizing training programs to equip SMEs for the 4IR era.
Md. Salim Ullah, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Industries, mentioned plans to include a dedicated chapter on 4IR in the upcoming SME policy. "We must embrace 4IR if we want to remain competitive," he said, inviting stakeholders to submit suggestions for the policy update.
Rashidul Hasan, President of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), called for a well-structured policy framework to guide SMEs in adopting 4IR technologies. He warned that Bangladesh is already lagging behind in this area and stressed the importance of preparing for the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) as well.
Atiqul Islam Khan, CEO of Soft BD Ltd, emphasized the need for accurate projections of future business patterns to ensure that SMEs can seamlessly adopt 4IR technologies. He argued that expanding SME operations is essential for building an equitable society.
The seminar also featured discussions led by FES Bangladesh Resident Representative Dr. Felix Gerdes and Dhaka University’s EEE Department Professor Dr. Shafiul Alam. Participants included SME entrepreneurs, representatives from ministries, SME chambers, financial institutions, and economists.