The shopping habits of people are changing gradually; since most people have busy professional engagements, buyers now prefer to give orders online.
Shopping on-line is known as e-commerce and the popularity of e-commerce is increasing fast.
A report by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) shows that e-commerce sales have risen by 13 percent worldwide while in Bangladesh, it’s 25 percent.
Globally, e-commerce week is observed between 1-4 April while in Bangladesh, between 7-14 April.
The global e-commerce trade now stands at $29 trillion.
More than 1000 traders are taking part in this year’s e-commerce week being held in Geneva.
The theme of this year’s meet is called “From digitalization to development.”
President of software services platform BASIS, Almas Kabir, says, “The e-commerce sector faces three hurdles, inadequate Internet connection, over cautious stance of banks and not enough credit cards.”
He adds, “The banks should be more relaxed in issues related to cards; they can launch pre-paid cards in the market.”
General Secretary of e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-cab), Md. Abdul Wahed Tomal, says, “In 2017-2018, sales through e-commerce have risen by 25 percent.”
Executive chairman of e-commerce site Bagdoom, Shamim Ahsan, said, “The e-commerce market should have been bigger in the country; there is an unethical competition going on with foreign organisations investing huge amounts of money to destroy local platforms.”
Their main target is to drive out the local e-commerce platforms and take over the market.
“This is happening as e-commerce policy is not being followed.”