Dhaka, June 10 (UNB) – Bangladesh now exports software to 30 countries including Europe, America, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Australia and South Asia, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Syed Abul Hossain told Parliament Sunday.

Replying to a scripted question of treasury bench member Bazlul Haque Harun (Jhalakati-1), he said Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) in support of the government is developing advanced software to help flourish the country’s software industry.

The ICT Minister said the country earned US$ 31 million and US$ 27 million respectively in fiscal 2009-10 and 2010-11 through the export of software in the global software market.

At present, Bangladesh is exporting software to 30 countries including Europe, America, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Australia and South Asia, he said.

Responding to another scripted question from Awami League lawmaker Benazir Ahmad (Dhaka-20), Syed Abul Hossain said the government has taken various steps to upgrade the ICT in the country to international standard.

He mentioned that the government is implementing a project to set up computer lab with Internet facility in the country's 3,172 educational institutions.

Replying to another question from M Kabirul Haque (Narail-1), the ICT
Minister said the government set up computer labs in nine educational institutions in Narail.