INTRODUCTION

Recently Digital Bangladesh became a hot topic for discussion among Bangladeshi IT specialist, journalist and
also policy makers. Our newly elected government is also very much positive in this matter. I am not a specialist on
this but I am also interested to reading this discussion. As part of its national development strategy, the Government
of Bangladesh took office with the vision of creating a digital Bangladesh by 2021.

While Awami League’s Charter for Change announced the concept of Digital Bangladesh as an integral
component of Vision 2021, the budget 2009‐10 speech of the Honorable Finance Minister elaborated on the concept
as one of socio‐economic transformation enabled by information and communication technologies. He in no
uncertain terms debunked the myth that Digital Bangladesh is an ‘ICT Vision’. Indeed, the revised National Strategy
for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (NSAPR) Phase II in all five of its strategies marries the elements of Digital
Bangladesh quite effectively. The 6th Five Year Plan places an equal importance to Digital Bangladesh as part of the
nation’s development strategy.

Sectors of Digital Bangladesh

We can define Digital Bangladesh in different sectors. And there are given below-

*Government
*Business
* Academe
* Media
* IT Specialists
* Civil Society

Definitions of Digital Bangladesh

Sector Description

Government Digital Bangladesh is a vision where the citizens of the country can get information
through electronic channels. Government services can be provided over electronic
channels and the need for human interaction will be minimal. It is to apply the latest
advancements of science and technology in the country.

Business A Bangladesh that is globally competitive with the adoption of digital technology that
enables a real knowledge economy.

Academe
Digital Bangladesh, as people believe, is something that will solve most of the country’s
problems such as corruption, unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and inflation. It is a gift
of the newly elected government that will come true by 2021.

IT Specialists The integration of ICTs in social and economic activities. It calls for a happy, rich,
educated, poverty-free and hungry free Bangladesh where people have equal rights.
But, this will be driven by digital technology.
 1.CATEGORIES OF DIGITAL BANGLADESH

The ICT Policy 2009, ICT Act 2009, Right to Information Act 2009, various local government acts
promulgated in 2009 laid the foundation for identifying the Digital Bangladesh priorities for the government. As
such, a strategy document ‘Setting Digital Bangladesh Priorities’ is being drafted to integrate the goals of Digital
Bangladesh with those of key development sectors to harmonize top‐level priority setting through a participatory
and inclusive approach. The document will identify the Digital Bangladesh priorities along three broad categories:

1. Pillars of Digital Bangladesh

2. Vital Developmental Sectors

3. Enabling Environment

1.1. Pillars Of Digital Bangladesh

The Honorable Prime Minister clearly outlined the four pillars of Digital Bangladesh vision: developing human
resources ready for the 21st century, connecting citizens in ways most meaningful to them, taking services to
citizens’ doorsteps and making the private sector and market more productive and competitive through the use of
ICTs. For each of the pillars, the strategy will:

a. Analyze the current overall situation with specific references to relevant initiatives taken so far;
b. Identify the key success factors behind its progress; specify the key challenges and untapped
opportunities; and
c. Identify the strategic priorities by building on successful approaches and initiatives and mobilizing
relevant resources and partnerships.

 Human Resource Development (HRD)

In Digital Bangladesh, best‐of‐breed and most cost‐effective technologies and digital contents will be used to
produce 21st century skills and confidence in students to compete in the globalized world. ICT for education or e‐
education will be leveraged to tackle the most difficult‐to‐teach and difficult‐to‐learn subjects such as mathematics,
science, and language. E‐education will provide vocational and ‘lifelong education’ opportunities to the youth and
adults in order to retool them and build newer skills to improve their productivity. At the same time, it is necessary
to develop ICT literacy of a critical mass of people at various levels to lead a sustainable implementation of the
vision.

 Connecting the Citizens

Ensuring access to the Digital Bangladesh for all citizens, poor or rich, literate or illiterate, urban or rural is
another foundation stone of Digital Bangladesh. As the government moves to delivering information and services
through different ICT channels, citizens’ awareness, capacity and access to these services must commensurately
grow. Care will be taken to ensure optimal use of technologies such as mobile phone, radio, TV that is already in the
hands of millions. Shared ICT access points in public locations such as local government institutions, post offices,
and schools will be established. Bangla content and locally relevant content will be developed and delivered through
these channels. Two‐way communication channels to promote participation of grassroots in decision making and
provide feedback to the government will be instituted.
  Digital Government for Pro-Poor Services
Service delivery to citizens anytime and anywhere is made possible through creative use of ICTs such as one‐
stop service counters, helpdesks, etc. e‐services will ensure not only a higher degree of efficiency in the delivery
mechanism but will improve transparency and accountability within the government and non‐government service
provider organizations. Red‐tape and opportunities for corruption will be drastically reduced by lowering the
number of interactions, especially face‐to‐face interactions, between the service providers and recipients.
Underserved and hard‐to‐reach population will receive equitable access to services.

At the same time, the planning, implementation and monitoring process of the government including the field
administration will be strengthened through the use of decision support systems. These systems will enjoy sharing of
data and information across various agencies of the government transcending ministry and geographic boundaries.

It is important to recognize that automation or digitization will not result in cutbacks of human resources in
government. The ICT‐based delivery channels and services will create new choices, whenever possible, without
eliminating existing ones.

 ICT in Business
The final pillar of Digital Bangladesh deals with three broad issues namely access to market, business
productivity, and ICT industry for local and export markets. ICT‐based market access mechanisms will not only
benefit disadvantaged producers and businesses by ensuring equitable access to domestic and international markets
but also will enable the government to establish transparent and efficient market monitoring.

The private sector including MSME will be made more productive and globally competitive by lowering the
cost of doing business through G2B services.

Finally, the ICT industry will be supported to develop its human resource capacity and marketing strength to
compete locally and globally. The ICT industry, including the telecom industry, as the technical partner in building
Digital Bangladesh needs to be bolstered to sustain the Digital Bangladesh concept. At the same time, the industry,
especially the IT‐enabled services sub‐sector, is envisaged to be a substantial national driver for growth through
export earnings and employment of youth.
1.2. Vital Developmental Sectors
The goal of Digital Bangladesh is to develop ICT systems, infrastructure and human resource for strengthening
the vital developmental sectors to make a direct positive impact on the key social and economic indicators. The
sectors included in the strategy include:

I. Agriculture II. Disaster Management Environment & Climate Change

III. Health IV. Commerce and Investment
V. Land Administration VI. Law Enforcement and Judiciary
VII. Local Government VIII. Parliament
IX. Social Safety Nets X. Civil Service

For each of the sectors, the strategy will:

a. Identify the existing policy goals and statements with regards to the use of ICTs towards improvement of
the developmental outcomes in the sector;
b. Identify the specific areas in which ICTs can play a significant role;
c. Analyze the progress so far with respect to innovative use of ICTs; and
d. Identify the strategic priorities taking into account the gaps between the potential role of ICTs and existing
initiatives that use ICTs.
 1.3. Enabling Environment
Some factors are keys to fundamental in developing an enabling environment for mainstreaming objectives of
Digital Bangladesh into national developmental goals. The most important enablers for realizing Digital Bangladesh
include:

a. Institutional Framework
b. Policy and Legal Framework
c. Banking and Financial Transactions
d. Delivery Channels for taking Services to Citizens’ Doorsteps
e. Financing Strategies and Public‐Private Partnership Framework

For each enabler, the strategy will analyze current situation with specific focus on challenges, while building on
progress made so far. Particular emphasis will be given on relevant lessons learnt from other countries.
a. Institutional Framework
The Prime Minister’s Office is providing the high‐level stewardship of the Digital Bangladesh agenda and
strategy formulation. The National Digital Task Force, chaired by the Honorable Prime Minister, has the
responsibility for monitoring the major milestones and steering any course corrections. The Principal Secretary to
the Prime Minister chairs the Executive Committee of the Digital Task Force and the Ministry of Science and ICT
(MOSICT) acts as the Task Force’s secretariat.

Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under MOSICT develops the ICT Policy and ICT Act and is responsible
for monitoring the implementation. All line Ministries has responsibilities for delivering specific action items of the
ICT Policy. In this regard, each Ministry and Division has an e‐Governance Focal Point responsible for planning,
budgeting, implementing and monitoring of e‐service delivery and e‐administration initiative and coordination
among the subordinate agencies. The Focal Points are encouraged to take on new initiatives beyond what is
prescribed in the ICT Policy 2009.

As far as decentralization of e‐service delivery is concerned, the field administration and local government
institutions have definite roles to plan and implement Digital Bangladesh initiatives coordinated by the Cabinet
Division and Local Government Division respectively. The Ministry of Establishment is playing a lead role to
embed the Digital Bangladesh agenda in its strategic activities including the civil service reform efforts.

The Election Commission is the caretaker of the national ID card which is being explored as a potential e‐
service delivery platform. The government is exploring an appropriate institutional framework to leverage this
platform for e‐service delivery and develop necessary standards and frameworks. The Parliament’s role in guiding
the pro‐poor strategic direction of Digital Bangladesh cannot be overemphasized too.

b. Policy & Legal Framework:

This Digital Bangladesh policy framework currently is largely being driven by ICT Policy 2009, ICT Act 2009
and International Long Distance Telecommunications Services 2009. Implementing the Right to Information Act
2009 is expected to expedite the translation of Digital Bangladesh vision into reality. Explicit efforts are being taken
by related government agencies to mainstream ICT for development issues in their respective sectored policies such
as health, education, disaster management, etc.

c. Banking and Financial Transactions

This involves developing infrastructures for facilitating financial inclusion for the poor and for creating a
modern financial system that will not only be robust and efficient but also will have effective control and balance in
place. The focus will include spurring economic activities by removing regulatory barriers to facilitate online
commerce and to promote faster and more secure money transaction by reaching out to those outside the banking
system. The overall aim is to promote efficiency by private sector growth through a robust financial system and
ensuring equality through financial inclusion to the unbanked.
d. Delivery Channels for taking Services to Citizens’ Doorsteps:
This covers issues of what ICT‐based delivery channels are ‐ or can be ‐ used for solving the last mile problem
in taking services to citizens in disadvantaged areas. The old ICTs such as TV and radio are becoming more and
more localized and interactive, while the newer ICTs such as computers and mobile phones are becoming cheaper
and gaining reach – a combination of which are providing increasingly exciting opportunities for extending services
and engaging the private sector as partners in the process. Another issue of access is shared access points which
enable community access rather than individual‐based.
e. Financing Strategies and Public‐Private Partnership Framework:
This covers issues of scope for public‐private partnership for realizing Digital Bangladesh, particularly in areas
of e‐Governance. The primary focus is on identifying modalities where the private sector can co‐invest and generate
revenues from providing a particular service on behalf of the government.

3. OBJECTIVE AND DREAMS OF DIGITAL BANGLADESH

Recently Digital Bangladesh became a HOT (!) topic for discussion among Bangladeshi IT specialist, journalist
and also policy makers. Our newly elected government is also very much positive in this matter. The main
objectives of Digital Bangladesh are given below:
3.1. Agriculture
Given that Bangladesh is an agrarian economy with almost 60% of the population still employed in the
agriculture sector and that the country has set a course for self-sufficiency in food production by 2013, this sector
naturally gets the highest emphasis in the Digital Bangladesh e-services strategy. Some areas of focus are:

 Strengthening the existing information channels and developing new ones to provide farmers with real time
information related to integrated crop management, input availability and dosage, irrigation, soil quality,
etc. at the community level.

 Building capacity of farmers and extension workers through distance learning and by using locally relevant
multimedia content.

 Fostering market access with necessary information and training to promote support and enhance rural farm
and non-farm enterprises locally and internationally.

 Mobilizing finance (including m-banking) for rural farmers who are underserved by the commercial
banking system and/or the country’s microfinance NGOs.

 Organizing/uniting farmers nationally to enable exchange of knowledge, information and to ensure their
collective voice and participation in policy formulation.
Current initiatives: 10 Agriculture Information and Communication Centre (AICC); 20 Fisheries
Information and Communication Centre (FICC); web-based price information dissemination by Department of
Agricultural Marketing (DAM); web-based Information Repository by Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE);
GIS-based soil testing database by Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI); mobile accessible agriculture
helpline run by private mobile operators.

3.2. Education
Bangladesh has a large educational system consisting of some 150,000 institutions, 34 million students and over
900,000 teachers. There are about 20 million students in primary education (including madrasas and non-formal
programs) and 11 million at the secondary level (including madrasas). At university level, there are 31 public and 54
private universities. The nation has achieved an enviable near-100% enrollment in primary education, but, at the
same time, the dropout rate is an alarming 50% by the end of the 5-year primary cycle. It has been observed that a
little over 1% of the students who complete primary schooling acquire the standard competencies. 25% of the
primary graduates drop out at the initial stage of enrollment in secondary education.

ICTs have been identified as a key enabler to address the quality component of the education equation.
Attractive e-learning environments in schools, and distance learning through TV, radio, mobile phones and internet
will increase retention. The government plans to make ICT education compulsory at secondary level by 2013 and at
primary level by 2021. Teacher training will be increasingly decentralized through the use of ICTs already in place
at the Upazilla Resource Centers for primary and model schools for secondary.
Current initiatives: Establishment of computer labs in 128 secondary schools and colleges (2 in each
district); 568 secondary schools and 64 colleges supplied with laptops and projectors on movable trolleys which can
be moved into classrooms for e-learning; all primary and secondary textbooks available on the internet; digital
content development on English, mathematics and science; training of primary and secondary school teachers using
digital content; ICT literacy for teachers with private sector operators; Post Graduate Diploma in ICT in 13 public
institutions to create 1,200 ICT experts every year; creation of Bangladesh Research and Education Network
(BdREN) to be connected to high-speed international research network Trans Eurasia Information Network
(TEIN3).
3.3. Healthcare
Priority actions for this sector are to develop a nationwide integrated health record system, strengthen the
fledgling telemedicine network (now available only in the private sector at a high cost), and launch mobile health
units with simple test kits and ICT connectivity to specialized centers. ICT-enabled healthcare service delivery and
capacity building of tens of thousands of semi-skilled health workers around the country can significantly reduce
infant and maternal mortality, currently at 5.4% and 3.8% respectively, to the 2021 target levels of 1.5% for both
rates.
Current initiatives: internet connectivity and doctors’ access through mobile phone at over 800 health
centers; video conferencing facility in community clinics; database for health policy planning; OMR based patient-
level data collection; rudimentary telemedicine piloted by NGOs; mobile-based helpline with doctors.

3.4. Land and Water Resources

Land and real estate typically account for between 50 and 75 percent of a country’s economic assets. In
Bangladesh, 60% of the people’s livelihoods are directly linked to land, it is the only major asset held by lower
income groups, and allegedly 80% of the country’s lawsuits are linked to land disputes. It is not a coincidence that
the leading economies of the world have in place well functioning and reliable land administration systems. It is for
these reasons that the present government declared electronic administration of land and water resources as one of
its key election pledges. Under this massive plan that will take several years to implement, a digital land
management system will be established through creation of a digital archive of existing and new surveys of all 64
districts. The Deeds Registration System within the Law Ministry will be improved as well.
Current initiatives: A small pilot in one land area of the capital city and significant local and international
studies to launch large scale programmers.
3.5. Social Safety Nets
Currently 6-7 central government agencies and thousands of local government institutions are used as channels
for selecting beneficiaries and delivering benefits. This not only creates chaos in the delivery system, but also makes
it very difficult to monitor delivery and impact of the SSN programmed. Best practices in the developing world will
guide Bangladesh to develop mobile-based banking and money delivery systems. Improved targeting will be
achieved using the already established voter registration platform where over 85 million voters have been registered
with bio-metric information.
 Current initiatives: A small pilot to target and track allowances for widows.

3.6. Disaster Management, Environment and Climate Change

Bangladesh has identified that ICTs can play a critical role in all four phases of disaster risk management cycle:

a. Preparedness – reliable and rapid communication for preparation and assessment, observation and
positioning tools, especially when crucial on-the-ground infrastructure is damaged.

b. Mitigation – sharing information on location and hazard specific long term mitigation options for informed
decision-making.

c. Response – sharing instant knowledge and information on location specific climate change impact by
sectors and analyzing alternative options for preparation.

d. Recovery – ICT-based advisory services for efficient coordination, evaluation of disaster and risk
reduction activities, long-term sustainable planning and policy formulation.

Current initiatives: ICT-based information delivery canters including Union Parishads around the country;
digital content for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery; location-specific pre-disaster warnings
using mobile phones.
3.7. Law Enforcement, Legal Services, Judiciary
The country has already recognized that ICTs will greatly enhance the transparency, accountability and
efficiency of law enforcement by making vital data at the fingertips of the law enforcers. Electronic filing of general
diary and first incident report will improve the customer experience, toll-free phone based legal advisory can
alleviate hassle and put legal services at citizens’ doorsteps especially for women, hard-core poor, disabled, and
other marginalized groups who are not otherwise able to access these services. Publishing cause list and case
updates on the internet and making them phone and SMS-enabled will increase transparency of the judiciary and
reduce citizens’ hassle.

Current initiatives: Immigration database covering 90% of the total movement linked to Bureau of
Manpower and Training (BMET), crime data management system in all divisional and district headquarters,
automated fingerprint identification system, all laws available online (www.bdlaws.gov.bd), citizens’ access to
police cases using SMS.
3.8. Local Government
The current government places an unprecedented emphasis on revitalizing local government institutions at the
rural level (around 4,500 Union Parishads) and at the sub-district level (Upazilla Parishads). The LGIs are being re-
designed to play an extremely critical role to serve as local delivery centers for information and e-services, thereby
upholding the government’s commitment to get services to citizens’ doorsteps. Local government administration
will be improved with greater transparency; accountability and ensuring that people’s voices will be channeled to
policy making levels. Collection of demographic information, birth, death and marriage registration, school
enrolment, vaccination, employment and many other pieces of information using ICTs will provide a greater degree
of efficiency in targeting, policy making and accuracy in information dissemination.
Current initiatives: 100 Union Information and Service Center (UISC) and 5 Upazilla Information Centers
provide low-cost ICT access (internet, mobile phones), digital content on agriculture, education, health, human
rights, etc. and capacity building program on various areas. 1,000 UISCs are being targeted for the year 2010.
3.9. Connectivity Infrastructure
In 1997, the tax on computer and related products were withdrawn bringing the computer within the reach of a
wide spectrum of citizens. Today, a Pentium-4 based PC can be purchased for as low as Tk. 20,000 (US $325).
Since liberalization of its Telecom Policy in 1998, the country has observed one of the fastest mobile phone growths
in the world covering 98% of the country’s geographic area with one third of the population carrying mobile phones.
However, in rural areas, one mobile phone has the catchment area to cover a significant population. There are
around 1.5 million fixed phone users, 5 million internet users (one of the lowest in South Asia at 3%) of which 4.6
million use mobile phone to access internet. However, the broadband penetration in the country is very low (less
than 50,000 connections). Two WiMAX operators very recently started the service in the capital city. There exist
nationwide fiber connectivity by the incumbent Bangladesh Telephone Company Ltd. and Power Grid Company of
Bangladesh. A new private sector operator started rolling out optical fiber in different parts of the country for
expansion of broadband internet. However, internet connectivity remains unaffordable to most of the people. The
government has reduced the Internet bandwidth price several times and it is now cost Tk. 18,000/Mbps from BTCL.
To create accessibility for rural people, government has started establishing shared access points at Union Parishads,
farmer’s clubs and fisheries extension offices. This supplements the NGO and private sector-led efforts of setting up
more than 2,300 tale centers’ around the country. The government is very actively exploring the option of licensing
community radio for information dissemination.

4. POLICY AND LAW OF DIGITAL BANGLADESH

 Approval by the Cabinet of a citizen-centric ICT Policy 2009 with 306 action items for all agencies of the
government.

 Promulgation in the Parliament of the revised ICT Act 2009 allowing Digital Signatures and addressing
cybercrimes.

 Promulgation in the Parliament of the Right to Information Act ensuring wide access by citizens to vital
information that had been hitherto blocked by age-old laws such as Official Secrets Act 1923, among
others.

 Permission from Bangladesh Bank for internet transaction and for m-banking in limited areas creating
momentum in e-commerce and m-banking.

5. DEMONSTRATION EFFECT
 At least one e-service from each Ministry/Division totaling over 50 services.

 A national one-stop-shop web portal (www.bangladesh.gov.bd) which won an international award.

 Expansion of online government forms.

 Nationwide expansion of utility bill payment using mobile phones anytime, anywhere.

 Realization of the large voter roll database, combined with the Birth Registration database, as platform for
e-services delivery for a host of different services across the government such as VGF/VGD cards, driving
license, passports, vaccination, school enrolment tracking, etc.

6. POSSIBILITY AND REALITY OF DIGITAL BANGLADESH

THE term 'Digital Bangladesh' has created renewed interest in government and commercial organizations
in utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Digital Bangladesh comprises e-governance and
service delivery through utilizing ICT, but the vision encompasses much more. In order to be successful there has to
be knowledge creation and management. The government and the organizations have invested heavily on
technologies and overseas consultancies to utilize the potential of the promised e-governance and e-services. But
technology alone won't fix or alleviate a business problem. It is important to understand that knowledge
management is often facilitated by ICT -- technology by itself is not knowledge management. Digital Bangladesh is
dependent on the development of indigenous capability to plan, monitor and manage national projects. This can be
represented through a three-tier model.
 1. The knowledge centre, which will provide research and create technology and solutions.

2. The consultancy service providers, who will provide specifications, supervise implementation, and
document all activities for the knowledge centre.

3. The manufacturing and service industries that provide services and commodities. Academia and research
institutions provide knowledge, allowing the 3rd tier to incorporate all available knowledge in the service
arena.

This will create partnership between all stakeholders, and their success will depend on the value of the
knowledge created in the knowledge centers and its effective dissemination by the players in other layers. The
absence of knowledge centers, and development activities centered on procurement of services and commodities
from overseas result in dependence on overseas suppliers. The development of the electoral roll and national ID card
has saved the country from monetary loss, and created an opportunity for earning foreign exchange through export
of similar service. To create ownership of digital Bangladesh by the general public, the following must be promoted:
education, health, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and governance. Activity within those areas will take place via
limited initiatives and partnership, advocacy and expanding community expertise. Increasing the number of
initiatives may make it unmanageable. Initiatives and partnership In order to leverage joint resources and spur
visible action, initiatives will require stakeholders' partnership, which will be responsible for producing concrete and
measurable deliverables. The initiatives are expected to set targets within a timeframe based on current baseline
data, taking into account targets of the Millennium Development Goal and national Poverty Reduction Strategy
Paper. The following areas may be considered for improving visible national indexes, promoting education and
entrepreneurship, and attracting foreign investment. Better connectivity with broadband a key enabler is
communication. To improve accessibility to information, the initiative will have to accelerate the roll-out of
communication infrastructures and increase broadband access. ICT infrastructure is essential to achieve regional
integration and enable poor people to participate in markets, which will help in reducing poverty. Bangladesh has
undertaken a project through ADB's efforts to support sub-regional cooperation in eastern South Asia, which stems
from the formation of the South Asia Growth Quadrangle (SAGQ) by the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India and Nepal (BBIN). The 9th SAARC Summit had endorsed SAGQ as a sub-regional initiative. The SASEC
Information Highway Project aims to connect SASEC countries more efficiently through broadband and bring social
goods to South Asia, especially the rural areas. Telecentre and community e-Centre Bangladesh Telecentre Network
has established a number of Telecenters and Community e-Centers (CeC) to provide local language content for the
users besides serving as e-services centre. They will also be established under SASEC program. Telecenters can
provide various services in health, agriculture and education. Free access for all schools to Internet Communication
technologies, such as WiMAX, can connect educational institutions to the Internet, creating a new generation of
innovative citizens. However, till date, no effective measures have been taken in Bangladesh in this area. ICT
professional skill assessment and enhancement program this is an indigenous program to enhance professional
capacity of the knowledge and ICT workforce. It aims at making industry-ready knowledge workers. India and the
Philippines have a number of software finishing schools to groom young knowledge workers for industries. These
programs will help in expanding community expertise. Media strategy, advocacy and outreach the impact of digital
Bangladesh depends on its ability to protect its activities and achievements, generate interest, and secure continued
financial support, and also on evaluation of ICT development using internationally recognized indicators and
utilizing all modes of information dissemination such as radio, TV, cell phone and Telecentre. Meaning of Digital
Bangladesh Building an indigenous knowledge and infrastructure base is important in building a sustainable digital
Bangladesh. The basic goals for digital Bangladesh should centre on:

 A broadband infrastructure with access for every Bangladeshi from their homes, work places, schools,
Telecenters or CeC with technologies like WiMAX and 3G Network.

 A digitally literate population and workforce.

 A digitally enabled nation, providing e-government information and service at regional level.

 Digital business development with Internet in business and e-commerce.

  Internationally competitive information and communication technology, human capacity and business.

 A legal framework that assures freedom of expression while protecting the rights of creators and innovators
towards building an indigenous knowledge and technological base.

Last Words
Dreamt of a ‘Sonar Bangla’ where the common citizen of the country lives in prosperity and has equitable access to
quality education, healthcare, law and justice ensured by the government. But, In light of the global reality, digital
Bangladesh is not a dream but rather a necessity for survival in the 21st century. A well thought-out plan should be
launched to make "Digital Bangladesh" a reality. Although Bangladesh has its own limitations in resources, capacity
and knowledge, the country’s potential in human resources can be tapped through appropriate use of ICT tools.