Uber contributed to Bangladesh economy with Tk5,500cr worth of activities in 2024: Report
Uber has contributed to Bangladesh's economy with Tk5,500 crore worth of activities in 2024, according to the ridesharing app's 2024 Economic Impact Report released today (18 February).
Uber released the report at an event in Dhaka today, in the presence of Road Transport and Highways Division Senior Secretary Md Ehsanul Hoque and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Mohammed Yasin.
The report was compiled by Public First, a policy, research, opinion and strategy consultancy agency, according to a press release.
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The report said that in 2024, Uber's Moto and Auto services supported Tk920 crore of economic activity in Bangladesh.
The platform also played a key role in time savings for its riders, with 82% of riders using Uber for commuting to and from work, saving an estimated 11 lakh hours annually, valued at Tk94 crore.
The report highlights the factors driving the economic contribution of Uber in Bangladesh:
In 2023, it said, Uber generated Tk290 crore in additional value for Bangladesh's tourism industry, which now supports 2.14 million jobs in 2024.
According to the report, in 2024, rides with Uber generated Tk66,900 crore in consumer surplus for riders in Bangladesh
The report also states that 81% of riders agree that booking with Uber is much easier than hailing a ride in the street while 86% of riders agree that the Uber app is an important transportation innovation.
Addressing the event, BRTA Chairman Yasin said, "The Bangladesh government is committed to enhancing the country's infrastructure and economic development. In this context, Uber's role in improving connectivity, supporting livelihoods, and promoting tourism has been notable.
"The ridesharing industry including Uber has made commendable efforts in leveraging technology to address transportation challenges, which contribute positively to the nation's growth and development."
Commenting on the report, Nasheed Ferdous Kamal, country head for Uber Bangladesh, said, "Our 2024 Economic Impact highlights Uber's significant contribution in transforming transportation and creating work opportunities in the country."
"We are proud of the meaningful impact we have made on the country's economy and remain dedicated to reshaping the mobility landscape, connecting communities and creating livelihoods," she said.
Today's event featured a detailed report presentation by Amy Price, Director and head of Practice, Tech, Media and Telecom, Public First.
The report launch was followed by a panel discussion with key stakeholders, including policymakers and industry experts. The panellists included Nasheed; Sitangshu Shekhar Biswas, Director, BRTA; Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of CPD; and Shams Zaman, Country Managing Partner, PwC Bangladesh.
They discussed the future of mobility in Bangladesh, exploring opportunities and challenges in building a resilient transportation system that can adapt to the country's evolving political, economic and technological landscape.
