Md Jahirul Islam, Patuakhali: The local IT stakeholders held a press conference to collect the 14-point demands of freelancers and IT entrepreneurs in Patuakhali for the construction of new Bangladesh.
Members of Patuakhali Freelancer’s Club held a press conference at Patuakhali District Press Club on Monday evening.
Under the chairmanship of club president Anwar Hossain and moderated by general secretary Abdus Salam Arif, Prepteco CEO Abdur Rob Akhand, Ecom Digital Technology CEO Atiqur Rahman, Digital Marketer and Mentor Saptal Chatterjee, WPOB Developer Hriday Howlader, Grapego founder Mahmudur Rahman and others spoke.
The 14-point demands of the local financiers and IT entrepreneurs include shifting the proposed “Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Center” from the remote Ekala Bhuria Union of Patuakhali to the heart of Sadar Upazila Jhowtla for the development of the IT sector in Patuakhali district, high-speed international payment gateways to alleviate payment problems of IT entrepreneurs such as – PayPal, Stripe, Skyr, Google Pay (zipe) etc. launched, Bangladesh Bank last 30 January 2022 AD. In a circular, the IT Department recognized 55 freelancing market placers on the declared income of 4% for freelancers and 10% for IT entrepreneurs. Very effective government incentives, removing restrictions on dollar endorsement and transactions on cards and opening up dollar endorsement and transactions for IT entrepreneurs.
Also, 15% VAT charge is free by the bank in case of dollar usage on the card. If there is any disqualification then bring down this VAT charge from 15% to 1%-5%, declare the Bangladesh Freelancer Development Society (BFDS) to be dissolved or make it whole, cancel the card system called freelancer identity card introduced in exchange of money Information and Communication Technology Providing free certificates or ID cards to legitimate freelancers under the Ministry’s guidance and ensuring its universal identity in all cases. Establishing a fund to provide financial assistance to freelancers who have suffered in any way, including cyber attacks, while working online.
Meanwhile, by creating an opportunity to easily export-import the devices and gadgets needed by freelancers and IT entrepreneurs, reducing the amount of tax on them and ensuring uninterrupted internet access for all, launching Starlink, a satellite-based internet system in Bangladesh, and high-speed internet facilities in the domestic internet system. Ensure and make it accessible and demand inclusion of freelancer and IT entrepreneur category in career choice of freelancers and IT entrepreneurs in all areas including passport generation, visa processing.
It has been demanded to create freelancing hubs in all upazilas under each district ICT office and formulate government policies for freelancing training institutes to allow freelancing training institutes and give tax free income to IT entrepreneurs and VAT free for IT entrepreneurs for a minimum of 10 years.
