Compatible Trends in South Asian Countries Coincide with Technologies
Let’s talk about the most “Tech persisting” regions of the latest trends in 2022. It may not be nonplussed but only Eastern Asia shares 24.7% of Global Internet uses while North America and Entire Europe unitedly(23.8%) put alongside Southern Asia(18.1%).
But we can not easily say “Tech persisting” just because South Asians use one of the highest rates of the Internet, Globally. But It is an indicator which supports the solidity of rising a Tech Industry, We can also be reasonable to remark the returning of the South Asians after a solid development of their education, A growing economy on a global scale, Ambitiously involve in innovation in futuristic projects, Availability of business Caps and the Government supports for the compatible entrepreneurs.
Regulatory Trends
Some of the regulations and collaborations have been reached to its “Gold Standards” as the Global policymakers played an important role as G5 benchmark, more matured ICT regulatory framework, and financial contribution to broadband as well as digitization.
The growth of AI, IoT & Cloud
Some Indian, Sir-Lankan and Bangladeshi AI companies make the top in the Asian market as well as globally. Spec India, Hishab, Hyperlink InfoSystem are already famous. It is the reflection of AI in this particular region and It may continue, AI has huge potential in this region but the data presented in a tainted manner for our social norms can challenge human rights. For example in Bangladesh, if a Data-set includes first names, the machine will notice religious first names would appear more frequently. Moreover, most countries do not follow the standard GDPR.
We can also see some antipodal signs in South Asian IoT sectors. A great example is Afghanistan, which has one of the slowest internet connections in the world while India is one of the top Online Gaming countries with IoT-enabled devices and having Online Financial Transactions and holding crypto-currency.
In Cloud technology, some the Startups like CLOUDLY, W3SCLOUD, TECHNOTRIUM, CHROMIES have thrived during the pandemic situation. They are now not only computing locally, As on the global scale the technology offers, low cost, converting and accessible for the users.
Agriculture And Fisheries
Agriculture still has a huge impact on the economy and livelihood of the people of this particular region. And better late than never, it started with the information-based agriculture technology and mechanization, and now it has created the market linkage with the farmers, and advanced technology adoption has started. For Example; Low-cost Green Houses and Hydroponics Farming. It can contribute not only the regional food safety but also improve the situation worldwide. Some countries have created agricultural road maps for better adoption of technology in Ag-tech production. The most common IoT-enabled wearable devices have been seen not only in the European region but also in SAAR C. The values have been created and visible It is time to grow and expand.
Cyber Security
The key to viable digital transformation is Cyber Security. Most of the countries in South Asia realized the fact. The regions have witnessed some vulnerable Cyber attacks like the security breach and Data stealing occurrence of the Indian largest nuclear reactor at Kudankulam or The North Korean hackers’ attack on the robbery of Bangladesh bank’s $81 million. Bangladesh has worked on its security recently and ranked 53 on Global Cyber Security Index and India is in the top 10 now. It didn’t stop attacking South Asian countries like Nepal or Afghanistan faced Cyber attacks several times. The political and transnational situation of Cyber Security in India and Pakistan also affected the relations of other nations.
Ed-tech
South Asia has accelerated pretty fast amid the covid-19 situation. Massive open online courses and the delay of school opening across these regions have created a space for Online Educational platforms. India has become the fastest-growing ed-tech country globally and we can also see the presence of some Bangladeshi Ed-tech companies like 10 Minutes School, Shikho, Upskill, CodersTrust, Etc. Gamification is the latest trend in Ed-tech as we have seen in recent days. Some AI-Based learning apps and the uses of Educational immersive software are popular Globally, even in southeast Asia Classroom or Learning Management Portals can be seen. In south Asia, Ed-tech is probably the most untapped yet the widest area which may lead to the empowerment of the next-gen and Growth of the nations if they could overcome a few challenges like compatible mobile devices and Internet, educators and a prepared system, the role of government and tech companies.
Energy
Though Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan have few nuclear reactors under construction and operable, nevertheless these particular regions have the huge potential and resources of producing renewable energy for the location, humidity, and tropical conditions. Wind, Hydro, Solar, and BioEnergy are the most desirable for these countries. As the prices have fallen Solar energy is having notable growth. Most of the leading companies in energy sectors are Indian but the inter-connectivity of the power system has some unique values and advantages. IT is more suitable in this region because of the pattern of demand and supply of electricity in this region. For example; Bhutan and Nepal produce hydro-power in the rainy season, in the summertime of Bangladesh and India. Between India and Nepal, there are high capacity electric transmission lines which created an opportunity to export power from India to Nepal for a short time needs. The Maldives has photostatic potential and some other projects under the World Bank supervision are significant in this region.
Digital Services
One of the biggest online markets in this region shows the digital inevitability which has boosted during the COVID Period. Even a smaller nation like Nepal recorded almost 11% in the use of broadband internet. India Introduced digital health ID for its citizen and in Bangladesh, online sales spiked up to 70–80 %, while Pakistan covered 65% Internet of its population and Bangladesh. The growth could have acceded in this so much promising region if South Asia realized its gap in legal, policy, the regulation and boosted its digital skills more. South Asian e-commerce has the potential to imitate the European market if it can take challenges collaboratively, such as regulation of pecuniary resources, Online Payment, Cross-border transportation, Etc.
National Digital Practices within SAAR C
Some of the countries doing really good practices which work as fuel for digital transformation in the region.
Bangladesh(Startup Bangladesh)
Startup Bangladesh was founded by the Government to create a national platform for young entrepreneurs. It has initiated an accelerator, state-of-the-art lab facility, iDEA (Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Academy), Startup Circle, the Bangabandhu Innovation Grant (BIG). It has the goals of tech Innovation, support and creating employment opportunities, attracting investment and expertise, connectivity, promotion, and a platform to develop a sustainable and innovation-focused economy. Student 2 Startup, Food for Nation, National Hackathon, ideaTHON, and many other iDEA initiatives have taken place all over the years which have created a bigger impact on National education, agricultural and food safety, Cyber Security, and International Partner collaboration. Bangladesh Startup has won the award of ASOCIO, WITSA Global ICTExcellence Awards. The achievements of developing a start-up like shop up, Truck Lagbe, Alter Youth (which have already raised funding from international VCs). It has already funded more than 100 startups and more than 20 startups already complied for seed level funds. Startup Bangladesh established good practices in technology-based entrepreneurial solutions, business model development, collaboration, venture capital, seed funding, incubation and accelerator, events, co-working, business, Etc.
Thimphu Tech Park is a 58000 sq ft. Building and the forerunner for the Development of IT and IT Enabled Sectors. It is also the hub of entrepreneurship, innovation, and enterprise creation and works as an ingredient in future economic growth, job creation in Bhutan. The goals of the Park is to provide world-class services in IT, attract ITES companies around the world, promote research, innovation and maximize the resources and increase ROI of the aspiring entrepreneurs, corporation, Government agencies. The Thimphu Tech park mainly focuses on Business incubators, Shared Technology centers, and Datacenters. According to DHI road-map in 2030, it will become an IT Service company. And serve two projects: An Automated Bhutan Integrated Taxation System and Health Information System. It has so far achieved to employ more than 600 people since 2016 and increased the overall internet backbone speed. It has arranged B2B and support services, incubators and accelerators, co-working support, SME expansion, etc.
To increase the innovation capacity and create job opportunities instead of seeking jobs, the Indian Government has initiated and launched this start-up culture project in 2016. Startup India has set its goals to Simplify and Hand-holding, Funding, Incentives, Incubation, and Industry-Academia partnership among Entrepreneurs, Universities, Government Agencies, International Organizations, Corporations, Investors under the coordination of DPIIT. It was actively supported by a few events like The Aviral Plastic Waste Innovation Challenge, Indo-German Startup Week, DISQ, Etc. Startup India has achieved handling 29000+ inquiries also mentored 180+ startups. It has nearly half a million users and more than 41000 registered initiatives.
Phandeeyar means creation space. It is an innovation lab creating opportunities for using technology to make changes and accelerate development in Myanmar. It is a 10,000 sq ft. building, situated at the heart of downtown Yangon and aimed to develop Myanmar’s Technology and create sustainable development as well as a digital economy. It is funded by the Open Society Foundation, Luminate, and Schmidt Family Foundation. Also having strategic partnerships with some local and foreign experts. Phandeeyar has created co-making space connectivity, startup programs, several civic support programs, like incubation, accelerator programs, Etc. It has initiated 400 + events and funded 20 + Myanmar startups so far. Phandeeyar has taken measures with Myanmar Digital Rights Forum to bring together, tech, government, and civil society. It has ranked 6th on First Global Challenge out of 154 Countries.
Sri Lanka(Information and Communication Technology Agency)
It is the highest body of Government for the implementation of ICT developments in Sri Lanka also has a strategic and financial partnership with important organizations of the world. The Goal of this body is to transform Sri Lanka into a knowledge-based society and make digital inclusiveness of the entrepreneurs, tech freelancers, government organizations, digital economy policy-makers, and ICT civil servants. Some of the significant activities are, Spirralation, ImagineIF, #StartupSL, Sri Lanka Government Chief Innovation Officers (CIO) Program, The Lanka Government Network (LGN), Sri Lanka Go Digital, IT BPO Career Guidance and Entrepreneurship Program, National IT-BPM Workforce Survey, Educate to Innovate program, Learn Engage Aim Prosper (an export readiness program), Through these initiatives Sri Lanka has achieved affordable access to information, modernization of government services, assistance on building capacity, policy improvement, ICT literacy, Promoting IT and BPO exports, and positive impact of entrepreneurial life-cycle.
