Towards Digital Bangladesh: A Review of Newly Founded ICT Division

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Abstract

Bangladesh government has taken critical activities to guarantee smooth voyage towards Digital
Bangladesh. Foundation of a different Ministry of Information and Technology is one of such
activities. Initially known as Ministry of Information and Technology, built up on December 4,
2011, was divided in two divisions - one is Information and Communication Technology Division
and other is Post and Telecommunication Division. Most of the works on implementation of Digital
Bangladesh are dependent on the joint decision of these two.

The activities of Information and Communication Technology Division and their contribution
towards building a Digital Bangladesh have been reviewed in this report. It can be observed that
social security, rural economy, health care facilities, women empowerment, disaster and emergency
response etc. are all influenced by the activities in ICT sector and ICT Division is indeed playing
a supreme role in shaping the future of Digital Bangladesh.

Keywords: ICT, Development, Bangladesh, Digital

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 Table of Contents

Abstract .............................................................................................................................................. ii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1
Background: The Concept of Digital Bangladesh ......................................................................... 1
Statement of the Problem: .............................................................................................................. 2
Significance of this study: .............................................................................................................. 2
Objective of the Research: ............................................................................................................. 2
Scope and Limitations:................................................................................................................... 2
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................... 3
Why India & Pakistan: ................................................................................................................... 3
India Scenario: ............................................................................................................................... 3
Pakistan Scenario: .......................................................................................................................... 4
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS ......................................................................................................... 7
The ICT Industry ............................................................................................................................ 7
Policy Framework .......................................................................................................................... 7
Information and Communication Technology Policy ................................................................ 9
Information Security Policy Guideline ...................................................................................... 9
Associate and Statutory organizations under ICT
Division ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) ..................................................................................... 10
BKIICT .................................................................................................................................... 11
National Data Centre ................................................................................................................ 12
Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority ........................................................................................ 12
Kaliakoir Hi-tech Park ............................................................................................................. 12
Jessore Software Technology Park .......................................................................................... 13
IT village/Hi-tech park in divisional level ............................................................................... 13
Significant Projects ...................................................................................................................... 14
National ICT Infra Network (Info-Sarkar) Project .................................................................. 14
Capacity building on IT Engineers Examination
(ITEE) Management Project .................................................................................................... 14

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 Leveraging ICT for Growth, Employment and
Governance (LICT) Project ..................................................................................................... 15
Training Programs........................................................................................................................ 16
Top-up IT Training for 10000 graduates ................................................................................. 16
Foundation Skills Training for 20,000 youths ......................................................................... 17
Training for mid-level officials of IT firm ............................................................................... 17
Outreach program for CEOs of IT firms and youths ............................................................... 17
IT/ITES Industry Promotion .................................................................................................... 17
E-government Technology Foundation ................................................................................... 18
Successes in Recent Year ............................................................................................................. 18
SWOT Analysis: .......................................................................................................................... 19
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION &
RECOMMENDATION ................................................................................................................... 21
Recommendations: ....................................................................................................................... 21
Visibility Increase .................................................................................................................... 21
Industry Collaboration Drive ................................................................................................... 21
USP Development .................................................................................................................... 22
Platform Formation .................................................................................................................. 22
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................ 23

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background: The Concept of Digital Bangladesh

"Digital Bangladesh" is a crucial part of the Vision 2021—which promises a prosperous and
equitable Bangladesh. The vision runs parallel to the Information Society vision upheld by the World
Summit on Information Society (WSIS). Digital Bangladesh has four key priorities –
(a) creating human assets prepared for the 21st century
(b) interfacing subjects in ways most important to them
(c) taking administrations to natives' doorsteps
(d) making the private area and market more gainful

"Digital Bangladesh by 2021" was a major agenda of the election manifesto of Bangladesh Awami
League for the 9th Parliamentary Election. The declaration was made in December 12, 2008 for the
election held in December 29, 2008. It is a long-term vision rather than a target. Though criticized
and ridiculed at first, this vision quickly captured people's imagination and became the cornerstone
of the entire election manifesto. In the backdrop of a markedly pro-poor election manifesto of the
Awami League, the Digital Bangladesh vision is unique as it proposes to mainstream ICTs as a pro-
poor tool. Indeed, this is probably the first time in the history of Bangladesh that the vision of poverty
reduction and human development leveraging ICTs was proposed that received instant support from
common citizens. In many ways, the "Digital Bangladesh" vision has taken the policy makers and
practitioners by surprise. While the basic premise of the vision is not new, the all-encompassing
nature of the vision demands a fundamental shift of mindset of the implementers.
The "Digital Bangladesh" vision should be interpreted with regards to the general decision statement
of the Awami League driven Grand Alliance that now shapes the biggest lump of this present
government's dedication. In Digital Bangladesh, ICT should be an empowering influence to the
country's battle to accomplish the financial, social, and social liberation. To be sure, one of the key
inhabitants of "Digital Bangladesh" is its inclination towards the poor who constitute a substantial
part of the general population. It is a resurrection of the vision of 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal).
Consequently, it might be shrewd to keep it as an overall goal as opposed to a decisive target. From
this perspective, ICT and new innovations should be utilized in all part of national development of
a Digital Bangladesh.

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Statement of the Problem:

Despite ICT being a key driver of Digital Bangladesh, little research has been conducted on the
sector. There is practically no published journal article that sheds light on this issue of critical
importance. There is also the absence of quantitative assessment (iGDP for Bangladesh) of
contribution of digital economy to Bangladesh’s GDP. There is not even any watchdogs’ report
available that addresses the topic directly.
It is important to have unbiased independent research on the ICT sector to easily get an overall
picture of the sector at one glance and also to benchmark whether the country is moving towards the
right direction that is becoming truly Digital Bangladesh.

Significance of this study:

The unique contribution of this research to our knowledge body is that it will be a great starting point
in understanding where Bangladesh stands in its journey towards becoming digital. For future
researchers who may want to incorporate quantitative assessment on the sector and investors who
want to get an idea of the govt. initiatives taken in this sector, this will also be a good source to
understand the scenario. Since ICT Division is in the forefront of materializing the dream of digital
Bangladesh, its review should provide valuable insights.

Objective of the Research:

The core objective of this report is to gain an understanding of what the country is doing to move
towards materializing its vision of Digital Bangladesh with particular focus on ICT Division.
This research will provide a full picture of the ICT division covering the supporting organizations,
key initiatives and most importantly, their contribution towards digital Bangladesh.

Scope and Limitations:

The is by no means a holistic sector study. To do that, it would have required the incorporation of a
number of stakeholders which is beyond the scope of a one-man-research-team with zero funding.
This study is limited to a single regulatory body which however prefers to be referred to as a
‘facilitating body’ rather than a regulatory one.

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 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

As mentioned in the statement of the problem, there has not been much study on this topic in our
country. Nonetheless, examples of neighboring countries can be taken to review how Bangladesh is
performing in contrast to them.

Why India & Pakistan:

Here, India and Pakistan were picked and that was not arbitrary. India is closest to Bangladesh
neighbor and has been a phenomenal success in the ICT sector. It’s rapid growth in ICT is a role
model for the developing nations like Bangladesh.
But, while India is fairly close to us in terms of geography & physical aspects, it is way ahead in
terms of economic conditions. While Bangladesh has a commendable GDP of about 200bn, India’s
in around 2 trillion. Therefore, Pakistan was picked which has a close 260 bn GDP and population
is about 19 cr which are fairly similar to those of Bangladesh.

India Scenario:

The ICT sector has changed India's image as a global IT player and been a driver of development.
The sector is expected to achieve an income of USD 225 billion in 2020. Today, the income of the
segment is USD 108 billion. The telecom represents 44 %, IT administrations represents 24 %,
gadgets contribute 17 % of it. The IT segment contributed with 8% of the GDP in India, a critical
increment from 1.2% in 1998. Through time the ICT sector has employed more than 10 million
individuals. Today, the sector is evaluated to employ 3 million, while backhanded employment
creation is assessed at 8.9 million. A year ago, the sector made 160,000 new jobs in India.

Development in three directions are expected to help realize the potential that ICT holds out for a
developing country like India. To begin with, this encourages the push to enhance India's restricted
human development accomplishments. Second, the utilization of moderately shabby ICT
capabilities in the rebuilding and revamping of the "brick and-mortar" economy. This would
guarantee that changes by ICT revolution don't get to be "enclaves" and that there is a total spread
of the advantages got from the new innovations. Third, the new developments are relied upon to
specifically enhance human development through the utilization of profoundly created and scattered
ICT aptitudes to enhancing administration, encouraging the strengthening of poorer families and

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groups and rendering the conveyance of the advantages of augmentation projects and welfare
conspires more straightforward and productive.

When these advantages are consolidated with developments in correspondence, people, associations
and partnerships can all secure a nearness on the web and effortlessly navigate the internet. This
makes the premise for setting up connections between people, people and government offices,
people and business, business and government and business and business. The full outcomes of this
compacting of monetary space coming about because of the web's change from a channel of
correspondence between couple of researchers to a web connecting financial and social specialists
of various types are even now just being assimilated and broke down. One range where the impacts
are unmistakable is e-commerce, which takes into account exchanging virtual space, diminishes
exchange costs, eliminates retail base and slices retail edges.

Pakistan Scenario:

Pakistan's IT industry is currently encountering an exponential growth. In any case, to make a

synergistic impact that interprets into unmistakable and huge financial development, certain
substantial measures must be set up.

One noteworthy stride officially taken in this course is presentation of 3G/4G/LTE. Similarly,
imperative measures, for example, accessibility of fast national broadband spine, making of new
innovation focuses in the nation, strategies that offer force to limitation of substance and foundation
of outsider installment passages in the nation will for sure help IT industry to grow quickly in future.
In such manner State Bank of Pakistan and Ministry of Information Technology is dealing with
Rules/Regulations for setting up e-business installment doors. Besides, Cybercrime Bill 2015 is
likewise under survey in the Parliament. These strides will help in quickening the development of
economy, increment in speculations and help in enhancing residential e-trade exercises by
encouraging online installments. ICT division can possibly pull in youthful workforce in creating
high esteem inventive items and administrations.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the harbinger of progress. Where other base
activities will be attempted inside this umbrella, elective worldwide web network through China
will give further impulse to the IT business in doing its seaward business all the more viably. This

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connection is deliberately essential and would likewise serve as option course to the current
submarine links, as of now arriving in Karachi.

Telecom sector in Pakistan has seen a marvelous development amid the most recent decade and has
come to tele-coverage of 75.1% as of March, 2015 (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority). The
unloading of 3G/4G/LTE licenses has empowered the telecom segment to go into the following
period of its development. The fast increment of endorsers of portable broadband has expanded the
general broadband supporter base to 15.6 million by March 2015 from 4.7 million in June, 2014.
This increment is for the most part credited to versatile broadband after the recently presented
3G/4G/LTE administrations by the telecom administrators. The endeavors have been started to
move open e-administrations to the most reduced level of government for a genuine change towards
great administration. Additionally, for fruitful usage of e-government activity, accessibility of IT
experts inside the general population part facilitate should be guaranteed.

E-government activity which lost steam in the past was re-brought with another vital methodology
amid the last year. This new approach will empower the Government to present e-government
arrangements in its different offices on a quickened pace. The Federal Government, amid the year,
built up National Information Technology Board (NITB). This new association will empower better
usage of assets and viable coordination amongst the different organs of the Government for the
execution of e-government activity.

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 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

This research was qualitative in nature. During data gathering the choice and design of methods
were modified, based on ongoing analysis. This allowed investigation of important new issues and
questions as they arise and also allowed to drop unproductive areas of research from the original
research plan.

Unlike quantitative research which uses a random sample generalizable to a larger population, this
qualitative research used a purposive sampling method. Purposive sampling involved selection of
informants based on an important characteristic under study that is working experience inside or
closely alongside the ICT Division.

Key informant interviewing proceeded much like a dialogue. Questions were open-ended, however
an interview guide (a general outline of the topics to be discussed) was used. The relevant topics
were explored as the informant brought them up during the interview.

Beforehand, secondary data sources like the 6th FYP ,7th FYP along with Background Papers was
collected for literature review and also for getting general idea on the sector which helped greatly
during the interview.

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 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS

The ICT Industry

Regardless of having 50 years of history, just from 1997 the govt. formally perceived the capability
of the Bangladeshi ICT industry and its effect on the economy. With industry affiliations (BCS,
BCC, BASIS and BACCO) and bolster foundations the govt. has taken both short and long haul
measures to backing and upgrade development of the local market and expansion to the export
market in ICT.
As per the BASIS overview the ICT business has reliably developed as of late at 20 to 30 percent
for every annum. More than 800 enrolled ICT organizations produced incomes of around $250
million.
More than 75 percent of organizations are included in altered application development and upkeep,
50 percent are devoted to IT empowered administrations, and 45 percent offer E-trade/Web
administrations. The overview additionally demonstrates that 60 percent of organizations
exclusively concentrate on the household market. The International Trade Center gauges that
around 200 organizations send out their items and administrations to global markets (USA 68
percent, UK 32 percent, and the Netherlands 9 percent). A large number of autonomous consultants
offer their administrations at online commercial centers and 5,500 undergrads every year enroll in
ICT courses at more than 80 govt. and private colleges.

Policy Framework
In June 1997 the GoB formally perceived that ICT can have an essential development effect by
selecting a board of trustees to investigate hindrances and chances to fare programming from
Bangladesh. The Committee of Export of Software and Data Processing Services presented a report
to the administration with 45 proposals. The Committee, for occurrence, prompted the legislature
to bolster the ICT business with assessment occasions and particular exclusions, to give the
essential power to the BCC to work as the essential facilitator, to survey software engineering
educational program, and to get ready more than 1,000 new "coaches" for national colleges. For
the medium term the board of trustees prescribed the formation of a 'Business sector Promotion
Fund' to bolster establishment of fiber optic links and to organize setting up a correspondence center
in Bangladesh.

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In 2009 the National ICT Policy was extensively reformulated crosswise over regions including
instruction, science and innovation, infrastructural development, work era, private division
improvement, farming, wellbeing and sustenance. The GoB incorporated an e-administration vision
and development program for the ICT segment in the 6th Five Year Plan. This vision ought to
strengthen the point of conveying critical additions as far as profitability and vocation for both local
and additionally outside financial specialists. The GoB also initiated ‘Digital Bangladesh’ intending
to set up infrastructure for enhanced connectivity. In addition to policy development the GoB is
maintaining close relationships with industry associations such as BASIS, BCS and BCC.
In order to further develop the ICT sector and to realize the export potential of the sector, the GoB
recently took several noteworthy initiatives:
• All Software and ICT Service companies, including those under foreign ownership, are
exempt from income tax.
• Both a government sponsored long-term equity fund and short term working capital
financing are offered to ICT companies.
• A special hi-technology and software technology park is being built by the government to
facilitate the development of all the infrastructure needed by companies that outsource
activities to them. Furthermore, the GoB has established the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park
Authority to operate the Hi-Tech Park.
Next to the GoB International Trade Support Institutions (TSI) play an important role in creating
business opportunities for Bangladeshi ICT and ITeS companies. Over the years several initiatives
have contributed to the growth of the ICT sector in Bangladesh. Many of early adaptors expanded
their geographical reach to other regions in Europe and Northern America. In collaboration with
BASIS and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry a viable business-linkage service is set
up to link Bangladeshi ICT companies with companies abroad in order to create mutual benefits.
The World Bank created a country assistance strategy for Bangladesh, hereby offering financial
and technical assistance. The strategy runs from 2011-2014 and recognizes a key role of the ICT
sector in supporting Bangladesh’s growth, competitiveness and governance agenda.

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Listed below are some of the major law and policies formulated-

Information and Communication Technology Policy

It was necessary to formulate an Information and Communication Technology Policy to lead

the trip of building Digital Bangladesh on the right way. In this point of view, the
administration took action to figure a people-oriented and development amicable ICT
approach. The legislature figured ICT Policy-2009 with a perspective to relating the
Information and Communication Technology with standard of the national improvement
strategy. The principle for the ICT Policy-2009 is that particular activities have been resolved
for execution on need basis. It has been said particularly in the approach what service, division
and office of the administration would do which employments. There are 103 priority action
items and 38 priority action items. As a feature of its progression, the administration took
decision to make the ICT arrangement time-befitting and arranged a draft 'National Information
and Communication Technology Policy' 2014' through correction, incorporation and
rebuilding the ICT Policy 2009. According to the guideline, the draft 'National Information and
Communication Technology Policy' 2014' was sent to Cabinet Division for endorsement.

Information Security Policy Guideline

Data is the most important resource of any organization. Digital assaults, for example, data
hacking, dispersed foreswearing of administration, and so on, are being propelled in view of
absence of data security related strategies, frail and bungled security control framework,
operation of the framework by semi-talented workers and absence of particular information
and abilities. There is no adequate preventive, defensive, investigative and managerial security
framework to secure the digitized government data against these assaults. Hence, a right
security arrangement and execute methodology is basic to anticipate unapproved section into
the digitized government data center. In this point of view, 'Data Security Policy Guideline' has
been figured. Bangla and English forms of it have been endorsed and gazette was distributed
on April 6, 2014.

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 The administration has stepped for the improvement of ICT area. As a major aspect of it, the
administration has taken activity to acquaint association and stipend with energize research and
inventive works in the ICT segment. Alongside it, choice was taken to give award for creative
works. As a major aspect of it, the ICT Division figured arrangement identifying with
Information Technology Research Fellowship and stipend and awards for creative works
(corrected) Policy 2013. The ICT Division fellowship, stipend for doing research about in ICT
area and awards for imaginative works in 2015.

Associate and Statutory organizations under ICT Division

The associated and statutory organizations under the Information and Communication Technology
Division are: Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), Bangladesh Hi-tech Park Authority,
Information and Communication Technology Directorate and Controller of Certifying Authority
(CCA). The organizations under the Post & Telecommunication Division are: Bangladesh Post
Office, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Bangladesh
Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL), Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited
(BSCCL), Telephone Shilpa Sangstha Limited (TSS), Bangladesh Cable Silpha Sangstha (BCSL)
and Teletalk Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC)

BCC has been playing important role in implementation of Digital Bangladesh. BCC built some
infrastructures across the country in 2009 to expedite the implementation of the programs taken
by the government for building Digital Bangladesh. These infrastructures include setting up of
3,372 educational institutions (School, College, Madrassas), computer labs, lane in the offices
of divisional commissioners and 64 deputy commissioners, installation of solar panels in
information and service centres (it is now known as Union Digital Centre) in 13 unions having
no power connection. Work on setting up computer labs in 372 educational institutions since
2013 under Virtual Desktop Computing Network Lab Installation Pilot Program is now
underway. With the completion of this work, the number of computer lab will reach to 3,544.
Students, teacher and people in general are getting scope to be educated with practical computer
knowledge by using the computer labs. BCC has also set up cyber centre in the country’s 21
universities and university colleges to expand the use of computer at the university level.
[

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Since its inception, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) has taken various initiatives and
implements those to make the country forward in the information and technology sector. The
number of initiatives, implemented in the 2014-15, was higher than any other time in the past.
Not only that the initiatives were implemented across the country so that information
technology can be available to the people from all classes and groups. The activities of the
BCC are expanded in the seven sectors. The activities are:
• Formulation of law, policy and regulation
• Improving capacity in the government levels
• Development of ICT infrastructure
• Training and Human Resource Development
• Development of ICT industry
• Conducting ICT related research and development activities
• Activities to develop ICT related awareness.

BKIICT

Bangladesh Korea Institute of ICT (BKIICT) was established in 2004 in the first floor of BCC
to operate the training activities of the council. BKIICT has necessary infrastructure to conduct
training organized by BCC. The infrastructural development was carried out through the
financial and technical support of the Korean government. There are six well-equipped labs,
server room and other advantages are there. Each lab has 20-capacity which is equipped by
modern computer. Each lab is under network and has internet facilities. Since inception, BCC
Dhaka, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Chittagong and Faridpur centers so far gave
training to 34,706 persons. Of them, 2897 persons were given training in 2014-15.
So far training has been given to 1,440 people in customized course, 7,978 persons in
government and non-government level. 297 disables persons, 7,890 master trainers, 112,189
students, 5,670 UISC entrepreneurs and 418 people in diploma and post graduate diploma
courses. Total 2,898 people have completed internship in different ICT organizations.
Moreover, 3,837 people (officials, employees and teachers of government/non-
government/autonomous bodies) received Basic ICT training and 316 received master trainer
training.

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National Data Centre

National Data Center was set up as part of the development of the infrastructure. The data
center was established in the head office of the BCC with a view to making the database
technology-based one.
The center is providing web-hosting, mail service and other e-service hosting to different
ministries, divisions since 2011. Presently, government website, mail hosting service, Election
Commission’s database for National Identity Card are operated from the center. This center
received status as tier-3 data center from the International Data Center certifying organization-
EPI. The center was expanded in 2013-14 and its capacity of webhosting has been increased.
The present capacity of webhosting is 750 terabyte.

Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority

Bangladesh Hi-tech Park Authority was established in 2010 under the ICT Division more than
a decade after the government took decision in this regard. The main goals of the Hi-tech Park
was to ensure significant contribution of the ICT sector to the national economic growth, to
build the world-class environment for the industry sector and new business, to improve the
indigenous technological capacity for the development of local industry and to enter in the
international market exporting technology related items. The Board of Investment in its 12th
board meeting in 1999, presided over by the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, had decided
to establish a Hi-tech park in Kaliakoir upazila under Gazipur district. But when the
government has started implementing a Digital Bangladesh in 2009, it decided to set up Hi-
tech and software parks and IT villages in the divisional and district towns alongside Dhaka.

Kaliakoir Hi-tech Park

Kaliakoir Hi-tech Park is the first ever state-owned Hi-tech Park in Bangladesh, set up on 232
acres of land at Kaliakoir upazilla in Gazipur district. The 232-acre of land was divided into
five blocks to attract both local and foreign investment here. The Hi-tech Park Authority signed
an agreement with Summit Technopolis Limited on May 28, 2015 for the infrastructural
development of Block 2 and 5.

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 The Hi-tech Park Authority inked another agreement with Fiber @home Consortium
Bangladesh Technocity on August 11, 2015 for the development of the third block. Besides,
the appointment of developer firms is under process to build infrastructures of the remaining
blocks. Some 70,000 jobs will be created once the park is established.
Estimated cost of the project is Tk 236.99 crore. The project period is January 2013 to June
2016. Construction of an internal road stretched (2225 meter) under the project has been
completed. Moreover, another alternative road (2696 metres in length) has been constructed
for the people living surrounding the park.

Jessore Software Technology Park

Jessore Software Technology Park is situated on 9.18 acre of land. The activities related to
software development, including data recovery centre will be operated from here. The
structural development specially multi-tenant building, sub-station building, approach road
construction, construction of 33KVA sub-station, 33KVA line, fiber optic line, dormitory
building, construction of canteen and MP theatre is going on in full swing. Some 20,000 people
will be directly employed once the park will go in operation.

IT village/Hi-tech park in divisional level

Initiative has been taken to set up one IT village/Hi-Tech Park in divisional level to ensure
area-wise development. It was also finalized that Varendra Silicon City would be set up on
34.56 acre of land in Rajshahi, Sylhet Electronic City on 162.83 acre of land in Sylhet and
Mohakhali IT village on 47 acre of land at Mohakhali in Dhaka. To this end, a program titled
‘Feasibility study to set up IT villages in divisional level’ has been taken. Under the project
feasibility study has been conducted in Rajshahi, Sylhet, Jessore, Mohakhali and Barishal.
Besides, feasibility study in Chittagong and Rangpur is underway.

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Significant Projects

National ICT Infra Network (Info-Sarkar) Project

In continuation of BanglaGovNet project, the Info-Government Phase-II Project has been taken
for connecting the Upazila-level government offices with the same network.
• The estimated cost of the project is Tk 1255.92 crore. The project period is from July
2013 to December 2015.
• Under the project, the data centre in BCC has been expanded.
• Wi-Fi has been installed in BCC Bhaban and Bangladesh Secretariat.
• Equipment have been delivered to set up specialized labs in 15 public universities. In
this regard, local training programs have been completed as well.
• A total of 24,907 tablets have been distributed among the government officials. And
government cloud platform was built.
• Some 18,130 connectivity to be installed in district and upazila level offices. Of them,
the work for installing connectivity of 13,000 offices has already been completed.
• To set up the Container Disaster Recovery Centre and 800 Video Conferencing System
inside the Jessore Software Technology Park is now underway.

Capacity building on IT Engineers Examination (ITEE) Management Project

Capacity Building on IT Engineers Examination (ITEE) Management Project is now being

implemented for building capacity of the IT manpower and making their efficiency to the
international standard. The project began in 2012 with the financial and technical assistance of
Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).
• Estimated cost of the project is Tk 31.90 crore. Tenure is from December 2012 to
December 2015.
• 1579 examinees have so far given training and 43 persons have been trained as mater
trainer.
• Seminars have been organised in the country’s 29 universities.
• Information Technology Engineers Examination (ITEE) has been introduced in the
country for the first time with support from Japan’s government to judge the
professional skills of IT professionals.

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 • ITEE is held in April and October every year to judge the knowledge and skills of IT
professional and graduates.
• The ITEE certificate is mutually recognized in Asia’s Japan, India, China, Taiwan,
Korea Philippine, Thailand, Myanmar, Mongolia and Malaysia.
• As part of this success Japan’s Information Technology Promotion Agency (IPA)
evaluates the examinations of Bangladesh IT engineers. Bangladesh is made member
of Information Technology Professional Examination Council (ITPEC) on September
1, 2014.
• ITPEC membership is achieved through IT engineers’ examination. Japan’s economy,
trade and industry ministry introduced this examination in 1969 for the first time.
• The examination has been introduced to give recognition to IT professionals and
graduates and meet the requirement of IT industry through judging their knowledge and
skills. At present around 5-6 lakh IT professionals and graduates appear at this
examination in Japan every year.

Leveraging ICT for Growth, Employment and Governance (LICT) Project

Leveraging ICT for Growth, Employment and Governance Project started its journey in 2013
with a view to developing skilled manpower, developing capacity of the government officials
in e-governance and ensuring cyber security, expansion of the date centre of Bangladesh
Computer Council (BCC) and implementation of some important supportive initiatives for
building Digital Bangladesh. Implementation of different components of five-year project is
progressing first. And some visible progresses have been over the last one year, which are
expected to make significant contribution in flourishing information and communication
technology. The main component of the LICT project is to develop 34,000 human resources
through imparting world class training suitable to twenty first century. 34,000 human resources
are being developed through FTFL training, top-up IT training and foundation skills. The
World Bank is providing US$ 70 million in loan for this project which is considered as
supportive for national economic growth and increasing jobs for youths. Bangladesh Computer
Council (BCC) under the ministry of Information and Communication Technology has been
implementing the project.

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LICT is the first project in the country that introduces online competitive examinations with
participation of a large number of graduate and post graduate level examinees. In the first
batch 6,848 people completed registration online.
• Examinations were held online in the BCC’s computer labs in the country’s seven
divisional cities on May 7, 2014. Finally, 148 people were selected.
• The youths were selected for higher training generally in two types of program. These
are: software development and business process outsourcing (BPO), Post graduates in
science and business studies are given priority. But candidates having proficiency in
English are selected for the two programs.
• Similarly, 120 out of 199 examinees were finally selected for the second batch. Their
one-month residential training in BIRD was completed from October 28 to November
27, 2014. Three-month training is now going on in Dhaka.
• 132 examinees have been selected for the third batch. Three-month training is now
going on in BIRD of Comilla.

Training Programs

Top-up IT Training for 10000 graduates

• UK-based organization Ernst and Young has been appointed to provide top-up IT
training to 10000 IT and science graduates.
• Ernst and Young meanwhile has started its training programs. They have provided top-
up training to 800 university students so far of some universities as part of giving
training to 10000 Computer Science, computer Science and Engineering and science
graduates.
• Earlier, a workshop was organized with the assistance of University Grants Commission
(UGC) with the participation of teachers from 34 public, 26 private universities and 15
Institute of Information and Technology (IIT). Some 150 teachers participated in it held
at the auditorium of the University Grants Commission. The workshop discussed in
details how the teachers will give training following training curriculum and manual
prepared by international consultation firm.

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 Foundation Skills Training for 20,000 youths

• Ernst and Young has started its activities for giving Foundation Skills Training to 20000
youths keeping the global demand into consideration.
• They have formulated a standard curriculum for training
• Master Trainer was created for training. 700 youths has been given foundation skills
training so far

Training for mid-level officials of IT firm

• Training has been given to officials of IT firms who deal with management, accounting
and administrative activities with a view to taking the IT industry forward as well as to
strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the competitive global market.
• Appointing a world-famous organization for training is under process
• To involve famous educational institutions like Institute of Business Administration
(IBA) are under consideration.

Outreach program for CEOs of IT firms and youths

ICTD will organize out-reach program to make CEOs of IT firms familiar with the activities
of foreign IT firms.
• To appoint an experienced firm in this regard through competitive tender invitation is
underway.
• Through it, a connection will be created with famous IT firms, on the other, country’s
IT firms will get scope to flourish their respective firms being introduced with the
activities of the foreign firms. It will increase export of ICT products.

IT/ITES Industry Promotion

• E-Zen was appointed to conduct baseline survey for IT/ITES industry. They completed
the survey and submitted it.
• US-based Tholons and Aon Hewitt has been appointed for Strategy planning and
statistics for IT and ITES.
• Tholons and Aon Hewitt and Philippine-based Team Asia have been appointed for
marketing of Bangladesh’s IT and ITES industry service.
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 • Tholons and Aon Hewitt, Team Asia and LICT project jointly organized a seminar on
Branding Bangladesh on June 27, 2015. Preparation is being taken to hold road show
and seminar abroad.

E-government Technology Foundation

• As part of E-government Technology Foundation, Ernst and Young is working to build

a National Enterprise Architecture to ensure interoperability of online-based

information and data.
• Total 2500 government officials are receiving training on e-government activities.
Presently, 85 officials are receiving training from National University of Singapore, ESI
Training Institute of New Delhi and BCC on cyber security.
• Data centre in BCC has been expanded. The work of feasibility study for building
Disaster Recovery site in Jessore Software Technology Park and Development of
Information Security policies, standards, National Computer Incident Response Team
is in progress.
• Norway-based Cyber Security Consultation firm NRDCS has been appointed for the
protection of government information and services.

Successes in Recent Year

• Six private organizations were given licenses as certifying authorities (CA). But five
organizations received the CA certificates from the CCA office after completing their
own technical process.
• The five CA organizations now provide digital signature certificate and render related
services to different government and non-government organizations and interested
people.
• The license of the remaining company was cancelled as it failed to start as CA
organization successfully. But Tk 25 lakh, collected from the company as license fee,
was deposited in the government exchequer.
• Different government and non-government agencies and banks have already started the
use of digital signatures in their respective websites and headquarters.
• Bangladesh Computer Council was awarded the license in January 2014 to work as CA
organization in the government level.

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SWOT Analysis:
Strengths
 Youthful human resources and leadership
 Well educated workforce
 Flexibility to scale up production capacity
 Relevant good IT infrastructure
 Developed legislation and strategic
framework over last 7 years
 Successful experience in developing and
implementing eGovernment experience
Opportunities
 Worldwide aggressive adoption of the fast
growing mobile technologies in the ICT
services
 Foreign SMEs as the main target group
for exporting companies.
 High potential to be used in relevant
services: cloud computing, mobile
technologies, social networks
 Significant development of applications
that will enable the transformation of e-
governance in mobile (m-government) by
increasing the mobility of civil servants.
Weaknesses
 Lack of soft skills, know-how and
investment
 Poor infrastructure
 Poor international collaboration
 Insufficient implementation of the existing
legislation and strategies.
 Limited use of social media.
 Lack of principles in structuring the
information on eGovernmental portals
 Financial transaction barrier e.g. no paypal
or payza support
 Red tapes in general business process
 Shortage of funding
 Inconsistencies in national legislation,
cultural aspects and administrative habits.
 Digital divide and barriers to e-inclusion
Threats
 Global economic and financial crisis may
change the priority of ICT development.
 Increasing e-Crime and big failures in the
governance of information security
 Government-centric approach to public
services
 Failure to develop effective interoperability
between the systems and organizations.
 Lack of regulation of new technologies and
business models such as cloud computing
and public services outsourcing.
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Comparison with Neighboring Countries:
According to the latest edition of Global Information Technology Report 2015 by World Economic
Forum, Bangladesh stands 109th among 143 countries. Although that figure looks dismal on itself,
a closer look on the details alongside two neighboring countries provides interesting insights.

The key indicators are listed below:

# Indicator Bangladesh India Pakistan

1 Networked Readiness Index 2015 109 89 112
(out of 148)
2 Individual Usage of ICT 129 121 123
3 Business Usage of ICT 124 88 94
4 Government Usage of ICT 75 62 110
5 Ranking of individual use of social 127 134 118
networks
6 Mobile broadband subscriptions 1.90% 3.22% 0.52%
7 Years until achieving 100% 29 (by 2045) 26 (by 2042) 26 (by 2042)
internet penetration

Here, three most important metrics are 2, 3 and 4. Individual usage pillar compares mobile phone
subscriptions, broadband and mobile internet access, personal computer usage, and social network
usage. Business usage pillar measures how businesses absorb technology, their capacity to innovate,
how they perform in terms of patent applications, business-to-business and business-to-consumer
communication, as well as internet usage and staff training. Government usage pillar measures
government efficacy in promoting ICTs and providing online services to the population. Though
lagging a lot in individual and business usage, in terms of Government usage, Bangladesh is far
ahead than Pakistan and fairly close to India. ICT Division is a contributor to that success bigtime.
In terms of indicator 6, all three countries rank poorly. However, that is beyond the scope of ICTD
and falls in scope of the Post and Telecommunication Division. Finally, in terms of indicator 7,
Bangladesh’s position is in good standing and almost identical to the neighboring countries.

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 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

In view of the rapid changes in the worldwide ICT arena, it is essential that the ICT Division keeps
on enhancing itself and push the industry to climb the value chain. To make the right conditions for
development, the accompanying measures should be considered by the leadership in the ICT
Division and other regulatory bodies: creating particular training centers for skilled ICT workforce,
setting up ICT center points, facilitating connection between industry members, supporting
affiliations and instructive bodies and including university graduates in this sector with
specializations in marketing, business development and administration.

Recommendations:

Visibility Increase

The perceivability of Bangladesh as an ICT outsourcing destination should be enhanced. Both

private and government industry supporting affiliations, for example, DCCI, BASIS, BACCO, and
BCC, ought to mutually influence showcasing endeavors, effectively looking for coordinated effort
with the global leading companies. Proactively joining forces with foreign organizations is
suggested as it can improve local business interests. The point is to build up the Bangladeshi
economy through the expansion of reciprocal exchange.

Industry Collaboration Drive

As a consequence of both the constrained size and absence of universal reputation most Bangladeshi
organizations face troubles to pull in and serve bigger global customers. On the off chance that the
area figures out how to work together by method for organizations, then the ability to serve MNEs
can be made. Other than cooperation between industry peers through transient associations or long
haul joint-wanders lead to more accessible specialized ability and extra monetary, authoritative and
showcasing assets. These are important to guarantee access to remote markets. Organizations can
likewise trade or pivot laborers keeping in mind the end goal to build up extra specialized or
business abilities.

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USP Development

Bangladeshi ICT organizations ought to represent considerable authority in particular product and
service ranges so as to make more solid and exceptional deals. Taking a look at the ICT Export
Portfolio it feels that little firms offer an expansive scope of ICT administrations and items. The
blend of imaginative and in fact ‘innovative’ items and the capacity to offer aggregate ICT
arrangements at focused costs will give a one of a kind quality recommendation that could fortify
Bangladesh's position in the worldwide ICT chain.

Platform Formation

Potential customers ought to have the capacity to discover Bangladeshi organizations and look at
their offerings effortlessly. Presently it does not have a quality control and advanced mechanism
for showcasing Bangladeshi ICT organizations.
Keeping in mind the end goal to enhance, to elevate and to ensure the ICT outsourcing industry as
a brand on the worldwide ICT value chain, it is critical that ICT division comes forward with a
platform to screen and sort organizations by portfolio, offerings and reputation. Such a platform
could be started, overseen and encouraged by area associations like BCC, BASIS and BACCO,
who keep up associations with their enlisted individuals.

Bangladesh has a youthful populace, with about 66% of the populace less than 34 years old, which
makes a capable and talented pool of young workers. In mix with the moderately low wages, this
is an appealing resource for potential outsourcing companies in a wide range of businesses. There
are significant opportunities for ICT Division to promote ICT outsourcing organizations in BPO
and many other fields for example, web development, mobile application development, graphics
design etc.
Current evidence highlights the fact that Bangladesh is long past the days of the Solow paradox,
when in 1987, Nobel Prize–winning economist Robert Solow noted, “you can see the computer age
everywhere but in the productivity statistics.” Thanks to the dynamic leadership of youthful leader
Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the youngest parliamentarian in the history of Bangladesh, the ICT
Division is steering strongly at the helm of the ICT revolution and moving the country towards
development. If this trend of dynamism endures, the dream of Digital Bangladesh can indeed
become a reality in due course of time.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ministry of Planning, Government of Bangladesh. 6th Five Year Plan – FY 2011-FY 2015 –
Accelerating Growth and Reducing Poverty

Ministry of Planning, Government of Bangladesh. 7th Five Year Plan – FY 2016-FY 2020 –
Accelerating Growth, Empowering Citizens

Ministry of Science and ICT, Government of Bangladesh. National Information and

Communication Technology Policy 2009.

The Economist. Outsourcing and IT in India.

World Bank. A Market Study on Diversification of Bangladesh Software Exports.

Bangladesh Export Diversification Project.

Centre for Policy Dialogue. Policy Brief on Information and Communication Technology, CPD
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Bangladesh Enterprise Institute. DRAFT - Study of Bangladesh’s Preparedness for e Commerce

(presentation). April, 2005.

Chowdhury, Tanvir, Global Amitech for BASIS. A Country Report by Bangladesh Association of
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ICT Business Promotion Council. ICT in Bangladesh Brochure.

World Economic Forum. 2015. The Global Competitiveness Report

2014–2015.K. Schwab, editor. Geneva: World Economic Forum.

World Bank. 2015. World Development Indicators database

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