SANGSAD BHABAN, July 5, 2023 (BSS) - The Agency to Innovate (A2i) Bill 2023 was passed today in Parliament to form an agency to encourage the innovation in the Information Technology sector and help government to take programme in establishing knowledge-based society and its implementation.
 
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak moved the bill and it was passed by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

Criticizing the bill, opposition lawmaker Kazi Feroz Rashid said the law has a provision to form company which would create a monopoly by some public sector companies.

Other opposition lawmakers Fakhrul Imam of Mymensingh-8, Pir Fazlur Rahman of Sunamganj-4, Rowshan Ara Mannan of women seat-47, Gono Forum lawmaker Mokabbir Khan of Sylhet-2 claimed for seeking public review on the proposed act.

Even the amendment brought by the opposition lawmakers also was null and void by the voice votes.

Elaborating the reason behind to turn the project into an agency, the state minister for ICT said transformation of an agency from project would help to build a smart Bangladesh envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

The agency will be formed with an 18-member board of directors and the Information and Communication Technology Minister will be the chairman of the board, which will be autonomous.

Besides, the agency will form a policy that will help to create an environment to encourage innovation.