The opportunities of using ICT by small and medium enterprises in Bangladesh: Case of SMEs in Bangladesh Small & Cottage Industries Corporation’s industrial estates

Abstract

The potential contribution of information and communication technology (ICT) to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has long been recognised. However, the realisation of this potential has been problematic and over recent years there have been a number of initiatives supported by government, non government and foreign agencies which have endeavoured to aid and encourage the up take of ICT to enable access to such promised benefits. Despite strong theoretical arguments suggesting that ICT has much to offer to SMEs, the study would seem to suggest that use of ICT by SMEs in Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporationpsilas (BSCIC) 70 industrial estates is still in its infancy. One of the factors that have been identified as impacting upon the level of ICT adoption amongst SMEs is access to, and confidence on ICT. This paper is based on the study conducted as part of the IDA funded enterprise growth and bank modernization project and explores the opportunities and potentials of using ICT to provide a necessary lever to enhance competitiveness and productivity of SMEs in Bangladesh.