'The people of the country did not get the real benefits of digital Bangladesh'

Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Adviser. Nahid Islam said that the people of the country did not get the real benefits of digital Bangladesh, instead there were widespread irregularities in this regard.

He commented that even after investing 65 thousand crore rupees in the postal and telecommunication and ICT departments during the Awami League government, people 'did not get the expected results'.

This information has been informed in a circular of the ministry. It is said in the circular that he said this while highlighting the previous position of Bangladesh in various international indices of internet and information technology at the review meeting on the progress of ADP implementation at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on Monday.

The advisor said that since 2010, many projects have been undertaken in the name of Digital Bangladesh, but the people of the country have not got the results. 65 thousand crore rupees were invested in the telecommunication and ICT sector during the financial year 2010-2011 to 2024-25, of which the information and communication technology department has taken 25 thousand crore rupees and the postal and telecommunication department has taken 40 thousand crore rupees.

He said, however, Bangladesh scored 62 out of 100 according to the June 2024 ICT Development Index of the United Nations International Telecommunication Union. In this regard, the position of Bangladesh is after Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Vietnam and Bhutan. Bangladesh is ranked 109th among 147 countries in the Okla Speedtest Global Index May, 2024 internet speed list. In this regard, Kenya is also ahead of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is also ranked 108th in the Broadband Internet Index; Among the countries in the list are India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Rwanda, Ghana and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is ranked 113 out of 174 countries on the IMF's Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index as of June, 2024, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Rwanda, Ghana are ahead of Bangladesh among the countries on the list, the press release quoted the Post and Telecommunications Advisor as saying. Cyber ​​security organization Surfshark Digital Quality of Life Index 2023 ranked Bangladesh 82nd in the list of 121 countries in the world.

According to the index, internet speed in Bangladesh is 5% lower than the global average. Bangladesh ranks 73 on the Key Government Index, which is below the global average; 85th in e-security ranking and 77th in internet purchasing power. According to the April 2024 report of the US magazine CEO World, Bangladesh also lags behind in freelancing. Bangladesh is at number 29 in the list of 30 best destinations. The position of Bangladesh after India, Pakistan in the list.

Nahid Islam said, looking at these indicators, it is evident that the people of the country did not get the real opportunities of digital Bangladesh, rather there have been extensive irregularities in this regard.

It was informed in the meeting that a total of nine projects will be taken up in the four offices of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications in the fiscal year 2024-25. Of these, BTCL took up five projects, Teletalk Bangladesh Limited one, Directorate of Posts two and Bangladesh Submarine Cable PLC one.

Bangladesh /MP