IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

In order to make the government policy, administration and service delivery more efficient, effective, transparent and accountable ,Information and communication technologies have proven to play an increasingly prominent role not only in developed parts of the world but also in developing countries. ICTs such as mobile phones, TV, radio in addition to computers and internet have been able to reach traditionally excluded communities, and allow a much larger participation in national decision making than had hitherto been possible. The Fair will take place during 4-6 March 2010.

The vision Of “Digital Bangladesh” is unique as it proposes ICTs as a pro-poor tool. In regard to this vision, Access to Information Programme is an e-governance umbrella initiative which plans and coordinates the ongoing and future activities across various ministries and agencies of the government to utilize ICTs as a tool to make government services hassle-free, faster,cheaper, more inclusive and at citizens doorsteps.

Read more: Digital Public Innovation Fair-2010 in Bangladesh

The World Bank asked Bangladesh on Wednesday to follow experiences and practices of Singapore in information and communication technology (ICT) to achieve its vision for a digital country by 2021.

"Digital Bangladesh has generated public excitement and support, challenged the government to new ways of working and thinking ... and solve problems through ICT," said Ellen Goldstein, country director of World Bank in Bangladesh.

Read more: World Bank asks Bangladesh to follow Singapore in ICT

Information Communications Technology (ICT) has improved the quality of life worldwide and acted as a key driver of economic growth for both the developed and developing economies", 'speakers revealed this in a knowledge sharing event jointly organised by the Singapore Government and the World Bank yesterday in Dhaka.

The event styled as "The Singapore Experience: Ingredients for successful Nation-wide eTransformation" was organised to mark the 'Singapore ICT Day event for South Asia'.

Read more: Bangladesh: 'ICT acts as key driver of economic growth for developed, developing economies’

Digital Bangladesh does not necessarily mean one man one computer. For the near future neither does it mean 100 per cent computer literacy or Internet connectivity. But it definitely underscores networking all the administrative units in the country. It calls for linking more citizens with the information highway or providing them access to it. The first step of digitisation of Bangladesh should be to cut down the distance between the rural people with the secretariat or other centres of power, involved in governance.

But it would not be realistic to think that all the 150 million people of the country could be linked to the information high way. Bringing the entire public sector under the network would not be easy either. But it is easier for the private sector to digitise.

Read more: How to digitise Bangladesh