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Digital Inclusion

Plan unveiled for a digital Bangladesh

By Crystal Low | 16 June 2009

Bangladeshi Finance Minister AMA Muhith has unveiled a nationwide information and communication technology (ICT) strategy aimed at making technology accessible to all.

The ICT and telecommunication sector will receive a total allocation of Tk 563 crore (US$82 million) from the proposed budget for fiscal 2009/10 - Tk 298 crore (US$42 million) more than the last fiscal year.

The allocation includes Tk 142 crore (US$20 million) for an annual development programme for the Science and ICT Ministry, Tk 221 crore (US$32 million) for the Post and Telecommunication Ministry, a special allocation of Tk 100 crore (US$15 million) for ICT development and Tk 200 crore (US$30 million) for the Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund for ICT promotion.

Muhith announced that automated systems would be introduced in the education, land and health sectors and tax administration would be phased in over the next few years.

The Finance Minister said: “We would like to integrate land survey, land records and land management and bring the whole land administration under digital management. Once this initiative becomes successful, we shall be able to resolve many complex issues surrounding land administration, which will realise our goal of building a Digital Bangladesh.”

Attempts will be made to introduce e-governance and e-commerce by 2014 and 2012 respectively, to make the administration and business activities more efficient and transparent.

“We have to use ICT extensively for accelerated development. Therefore, we are moving ahead with a dream of establishing a digital Bangladesh by the year 2021. The transition to digitisation process will, on the one hand, help accelerate production and on the other hand, help curb corruption,” said Muhith.

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