Digital Bangladesh: The Tech Revolution
The concept of "Digital Bangladesh" emerged in the political landscape of Bangladesh in the early 21st century. It was championed by the Awami League, a major political party in Bangladesh, led by HPM Sheikh Hasina. The vision of Digital Bangladesh aimed to transform the country into a technologically advanced society, leveraging digital technologies to foster economic growth, enhance governance, and improve the quality of life for its citizens.
The journey towards Digital Bangladesh can be traced back to the early 2000s when Bangladesh began to focus on developing its information and communication technology (ICT) sector. In 2008, HPM Sheikh Hasina's Awami League won the general elections, and she became the Prime Minister for the second time. One of the key agendas of her government was to materialize the concept of Digital Bangladesh.
In 2009, the government launched the "Vision 2021" document, which outlined a roadmap for achieving various development goals by the year 2021, with a strong emphasis on leveraging ICT for socioeconomic progress. The Vision 2021 document aimed to establish Bangladesh as a middle-income country by 2021 and as a developed nation by 2041, with ICT playing a central role in achieving these goals.
Several initiatives were undertaken to realize the vision of Digital Bangladesh:
Infrastructure Development: Significant investments were made in building ICT infrastructure across the country. This included expanding broadband internet connectivity, establishing digital centres in rural areas, and improving telecommunications networks.
Human Resource Development: Efforts were made to enhance the skills of the workforce in ICT-related fields through education and training programs. Institutes like the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) and Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS) played a vital role in this regard.E-Governance: The government implemented various e-governance initiatives to improve administrative efficiency and transparency. Projects such as the Digital Land Management System, Online Tax Filing System, and Digital Birth and Death Registration System were launched to streamline government services.
Digital Literacy: Programs were initiated to promote digital literacy among the general population, especially in rural areas. This included providing access to digital education and training through initiatives like "Digital Bangladesh Day" and the distribution of laptops to students.
ICT Industry Promotion: The government offered incentives and support to foster the growth of the ICT industry in Bangladesh. This led to the emergence of numerous software development companies, outsourcing firms, and startups in the country.
Despite facing challenges such as infrastructure limitations, socioeconomic disparities, and cybersecurity concerns, Bangladesh made significant strides in its journey towards Digital Bangladesh. By the time of my last update in January 2023, the country had witnessed remarkable progress in ICT penetration, e-governance implementation, and digital inclusion initiatives.
International Recognition: Bangladesh's efforts towards digital transformation have been recognized internationally. The country has received accolades for its progress in e-governance, ICT infrastructure development, and digital inclusion.
However, the realization of the full potential of Digital Bangladesh remains an ongoing process, requiring sustained efforts in infrastructure development, human resource capacity building, policy reforms, and innovation promotion.
Overall, the journey towards Digital Bangladesh has been marked by significant progress in leveraging technology to drive socio-economic development and improve the lives of its citizens. While challenges remain, the government's commitment to digitalisation continues to propel Bangladesh towards its vision of a knowledge-based society.
PRESENTED BY :
Minhaz Samad Chowdhury
Executant at Center for BANGLADESH DIGITAL SERVICES
Independent Human Rights Defender
(Focuses on State Violence Against & Land Rights of Minorities in Bangladesh)
