Speakers at a webinar on Tuesday urged businesspersons involved in e-commerce to maintain the highest quality of products and uphold honesty as a prerequisite to create a good image of the industry, since it occupies a billion-dollar market. Businessmen and experts in the field made the call at a webinar, titled “E-Commerce: Perspectives on Bangladesh”, organized by ‘Agamir Bangladesh’. General Secretary of e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh Muhammad Abdul Wahed Tomal, head of brand marketing of Nagad Monsurul Aziz, Professor Mallika Roy of City University of Hong Kong, Professor Dr Mahbubul Alam of Chittagong University, Vice chairman of the investment committee at E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh Farah Mahmud Trina, Journalist Umman Nahar Azmee of Independent Television and Dhaka Tribune business reporter Niaz Mahmud attended the session. Abu Zafar Ahmed Mukul, Assistant Professor, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, moderated the session and presented the keynote paper. Mukul highlighted the need to accelerate the e-commerce sector in fulfilling Bangladesh’s dreams of becoming a developed nation. Abdul Wahed Tomal, general secretary of E-CAB, pointed out that change was apparent now from a handful of companies in the e-commerce business. In post-pandemic times, this trend could result in a huge surge for the e-commerce industry, he added. He said there was no doubt about the current tough times in people’s minds and also for the e-commerce sector. “The majority of our e-commerce businesses are related to fashion goods or electronic gadgets that are now almost out of business. However, firms which concentrated on commodities and grocery items are witnessing a boom,” added Tomal. He also said once orders were received, buyers should be informed about the time of delivery of products. Return and refund policies should also be visible, transparent and customer-friendly in line with the Consumers’ Right Protection Act, 2009, Tomal pointed out. Mallika Roy of City University of Hong Kong, said “The e-commerce sector has a great prospect to flourish more beyond the COVID-19 period. So, all those involved in e-commerce business must uphold honesty and maintain quality to create a good image for the industry.
