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Digital Inclusion

Bangladeshi Minister pushes importance of IT

By Robin Hicks | 28 July 2009

AMA Muhith, the Finance Minister of Bangladesh, has highlighted the role of ICT in creating jobs, skilling the workforce and curbing corruption, and the danger of falling behind other countries as they move towards a knowledge-base economy.

Adoption of ICT will reduce corruption and help to instill citizen-centric and forward-looking governance in the country, he said. The livelihood of a large proportion of the population, especially those living in rural areas, cannot be developed without the meaningful, effective use of ICT, he added.

The very first step for the development of a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ will be to spread ICT education throughout the country, he said. Internet facilities are being made available to the remotest parts of the country, but a more holistic approach needs to be made to grow internet coverage further.

“When a country goes digital, all activities of governance, commerce, education and agriculture should be supported by computers and the internet,” he said, adding that almost all countries are heading towards a knowledge-based society - and Bangladesh must stay in this race.

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