Spotlight on Bangladesh: Liberation Inspires an Emerging Software Development Industry

One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Dhaka – the capital of Bangladesh – is home to more than half a million rickshaws. Uber and other taxi services are just as easy to find; it’s when you’re getting from A to B that you need to be a bit more patient.

Our team spent almost a week researching potential partners in Dhaka, at the invitation of the Bangladesh Government. We met with leaders from the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), and evaluated a number of software development companies, reviewing their level of expertise, processes, metrics and recruitment/training practices. Now, Accelerance is working with these talented tech teams to develop their outsourcing capabilities and market their services to potential clients in North and South America, Europe and Australia. 

Software engineers in Bangladesh already have experience with IT service and product companies, with a focus on web applications, Ruby on Rails, PHP, .net, mobile applications and AR/VR. Offering excellent customer service and high value for investment, they’re also familiar with the scrum and agile development processes increasingly used in the US.

Modern Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in 1971 after breaking away from Pakistan in the Bangladesh Liberation War. The new state endured famine, natural disasters, and widespread poverty, as well as political turmoil and military coups. 

The restoration of democracy in 1991 has been followed by relative calm and rapid economic progress and an associated huge reduction in poverty. The government has invested in technology as a pathway to the future, a commitment that led to the Digital Bangladesh program, part of the country’s “Vision 2021” initiative. 

Incentives for business expansion projects include 28 hi-tech parks, four data centers (including a Tier 4 national data center), internet bandwidth improvements by leveraging 1,700 Gbps backbone via SEA-ME-WE5  fiber optic cable, and power plant capacity growth targets of 230% over seven years.

Despite numerous advances, Bangladesh still faces a variety of challenges, including overpopulation, poverty and political instability. But its drive to digitize its economy is starting to gain traction in the global marketplace as Bangladesh emerges from the shadow of India, thanks to its young, low-cost workforce and government support for the IT service sector.

Particularly impressive is the number of women in tech roles compared to the US, where there’s still a huge gender gap in STEM industries. All the companies we visited employ a significant number of women developers and engineers; family-friendly policies include part-time positions for working mothers, so they can be home with their children after school. 

Our apartment-style accommodation downtown overlooked the Buriganga River, and although we didn’t travel beyond Dhaka, we did take some time out to explore the city – including the 17th-century Lalbagh Fort and Rose Garden Palace in historic Old Dhaka. As Bangladesh is a Muslim country, locals are prohibited from drinking alcohol, but it’s available to non-Muslims in a few Western-style restaurants and hotels.

Accelerance CEO Andy Hilliard signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Tarique M Barkatullah, a senior system analyst and director (National Data Center) at the Bangladesh Computer Council.

Andy Hilliard tries his hand at a game of cricket in this AR/VR display.

The Accelerance team at the Tomb of Bibi Pari in Old Dhaka.

Software Quality Assurance (SQA) team members with our local certified partner.

Outsource with Confidence with Accelerance

Accelerance travels the world to simplify your search for the best offshore companies – and we’re impressed with what Bangladesh has to offer. 

Visiting your software development team in person is invaluable to building a good working relationship. With international travel restricted indefinitely, you can have confidence that Accelerance has completed on-site vetting of all the partners in our global network as a key part of the certification process. Virtual meetings and collaboration tools also make it possible to work smoothly and efficiently across the miles.

If you’re interested in outsourcing your software development, contact Accelerance to find out more.

For the latest analysis on outsourcing opportunities throughout South and Southeast Asia, check out our 2021 regional guide.