“Google sees Bangladesh as a partner in making the world a global village” stated James McClure, Country Manager – Emerging Markets, S & SE Asia Google Singapore, on the occasion of unveiling Google Bus, which is a part of an educational outreach program. He also said that Google plans to do more activities for the youth of Bangladesh to introduce them to the amazing world of internet. He sat with Shahriar Rahman from BYTES to share some thoughts about the 'Google Bus' project and Google's plan with Bangladesh.

Shahriar: Does Google have any project similar to 'Google Bus' in any other country? What does Google plan to do next with this project?

James McClure: Yes, we had a Google Bus project few years back in India. But that project has some fundamental difference with the one we launched in Dhaka. Moreover the objective and outcome of the project will surely vary because Bangladesh and India have entirely different demographics. 

When we are done with the project, we will have huge amount of numbers to crunch. We will analyze the data and then see which direction we can move forward in. Now the project is just at an initial stage. It's really hard to say what can be done in the future.

Shahriar: How far along is the Bangladesh Google Street View project?

James McClure: We came really far along. You probably remember, we came last year in February to launch the Google Street View project. In the last one year we covered most of the streets and places of Dhaka and Chittagong. Hopefully somewhere around March next year we will be able to launch the service for Bangladeshi people. But at this moment I cannot specify a date since there are many things we need to go through before launching the service. 

Shahriar: Former Country Consultant to Google, Mr. Monirul Kabir, has left. Is Google planning to appoint someone to lead or consult the Bangladeshi operation of Google?

James McClure: Monirul Kabir actually left Google to pursue his academic interest. So currently we don't have any country consultant for Google. Whether there is any plan in motion to appoint anyone – that I am afraid I am not aware of at this moment.

Shahriar: Google Business Groups are doing really well in Bangladesh. Is there any plan to expand these sorts of communities?

James McClure: Google Business Group or GBGs are some extraordinary platforms to engage the up and coming communities in emerging economies such as Bangladesh. And GBG Bangladesh are doing really well. They have won several accolades. Dhaka already has two GBGs. And I believe there are plans to open a GBG in Chittagong and Sylhet.

Shahriar: Bangladesh Government once banned YouTube. Google at that time said that it needed to set up an office or a server for YouTube so that it can easily abide by the rules and regulation of the country. What is the update on that?

James McClure: Well, opening up an office or operation in a country is a huge undertaking. Besides investment, there are several structural and installation related issues. So currently we are not in a state to comment on that issue. But even though Google might not have an office in Dhaka, we do consider Bangladesh as a partner in making the world a global village. So we are working closely with the ICT Division of the government to engage the youths and students of this country by increasing the internet literacy.