DHAKA, Oct 25, 2018 (BSS) – State Minister for Information and
Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak today said the government is
working relentlessly to establish knowledge-based and technology driven
society through e-government master plan project by 2021.
“We have been working relentlessly for last 10 years to transform the
country into a knowledge based and technology-driven Digital Bangladesh by
2021 through e-Government Master Plan project under the dynamic leadership of
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said.
The State Minister said as the chief guest while addressing a programme
titled “Formation of e-Government Master Plan for Digital Bangladesh” held at
BCC auditorium at ICT Bhaban in city’s Agargaon area.
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Bangladesh Computer
Council (BCC) jointly organised the event.
With the support of Information and Communication Technology Division, BCC
is implanting the master plan project.
“In 2008, only 0.4 percent people in the country used internet services
while proportion of current internet coverage is 53 percent,” Palak said,
adding the government has a target to reach 90 percent internet usage by
2021.
With a power point presentation Project Director, Mohammad Manir Hossain
detailed the objectives, components and progress of the master plan.
BCC Executive Director Partha Pratim Dev, ICT Division Secretary Zuena Aziz
and KOICA Country Director Joe Hyun-Gue also addressed the event.
Citing the report of UN e-Government Survey 2018, Secretary Zuena Aziz
said Bangladesh ranked 115th among 193 countries while Denmark ranked 1st,
Australia ranked 2nd, Republic of Korea ranked 3rd position in e-governance
activities.
“We have a target of brining down Bangladesh’s position in e-governance
service below 100 within 2021,” she hoped.
Joe Hyun-Gue appreciated BCC, ICT Division for arranging such event that
aims to build a blueprint to materialize the pillars of Digital Bangladesh.
“The pillars to materlize the vision of Bangladesh by 2021 are skilled
human resources, high speed internet connectivity, e-governance and promotion
of ICT industry,” Joe added.
He also said e-Government Master plan project is also aligned with the
SDGs target which will “Significantly increase access to information and
communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable
access to the Internet”.
Highlighting their activities, he also mentioned that they have also
implemented “Digital Municipality Services System Development” at 10
municipalities which would be an example of e-governance.