Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said on Tuesday the government would bring necessary amendments to the newly introduced Digital Commerce Operations Guideline-2021, if necessary.
"We've just started with the SOP (standard operating procedure) that is expected to yield good results. However, if we find any loopholes, there is scope for amendment," he stated.
Mr Tipu said it was imperative to introduce a guideline for a mushroom of digital commerce operators.
"There could be some shortcomings," he said, adding: "We'll take necessary action with the participation of all stakeholders."
Mr Tipu said this when the media drew his attention to the newly launched guideline for digital commerce that lacks adequate details.
He was addressing a virtual press conference, co-hosted by the commerce ministry and the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB), as the chief guest.
The minister said the e-commerce guideline would help safeguard the interests of both sellers and consumers.
Strict compliance with the guideline would establish discipline in the e-commerce sector, he observed.
The ministry finalised the SOP through multiple discussions with government and non-government stakeholders, added Mr Tipu.
Commerce secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection director-general Bablu Kumar Saha, Bangladesh Competition Commission chairperson Md Mofizul Islam and e-CAB president Shomi Kaiser, among others, spoke.
According to Mr Islam, the government wants digital e-commerce to grow as the sector needs to be competitive for its sustainability.
Terming the sector data-driven, he said: "A level-playing field for all operators is also essential."
He suggested that e-CAB supply data to the regulators so that no dominant operators could exploit the market.
Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services president Syed Almas Kabir said the guideline would help the sector grow with transparency following its huge momentum amid the pandemic period.
He also laid emphasis on full enforcement of the guideline for the sake of consumers, thanks to the rapid march of the sector.
"The country's e-commerce sector is set to grow as big as a $3.0-billion market in the next two years," he said, seeking assurances of entrepreneurs' rights and freedom.
On July 04, the commerce ministry unveiled Digital Commerce Operations Guideline as a gazette.
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