C T Online Desk: The vision of creating a digital Bangladesh has been front and centre of our country’s transformation over the past decade and a half, where we have achieved numerous economic milestones and are well on our way to graduating to a middle-income nation and fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals over the next decade.
Yet, it is safe to say that for Bangladesh, this is just the beginning; too many nations have fallen into the middle-income trap and if we are to successfully navigate through it and become a high-income, prosperous nation, then pro-active measures and visionary planning, much like the vision of a Digital Bangladesh, is the need of the hour.
To that end, it is extremely encouraging to learn that the authorities concerned are indeed preparing for the future, with a Chinese company executing a Tk3,975 crore digital connectivity project that will equip Bangladesh with the latest ICT infrastructure, digitize government services and increase ICT usage at the field level.
Indeed, with the government intending to establish thousands of broadband user connections, digital and specialized labs, a central cloud platform, a frontier technology centre, IT infrastructure in various district and upazila complexes, and ICT training facilities through this project, it is clear to see that, as far as taking ICT seriously, we are not holding back.
Of course, what is important is that we don’t run into the familiar issue of grand plans not translating into concrete action — this has unfortunately become such a common occurrence for Bangladesh that any ambitious project is seen with apprehension.
This is a shame, and we must do better, not just for the sake of Bangladesh’s continued growth and projection, but in order to show that we have the discipline and the ability to stick to deadlines and budgets — just like the group of countries Bangladesh intends to be a part of on the not so distant future.
