Definition of Data

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Main Focus of Document

Focuses on the Digital Bangladesh strategy to highlight the tremendous capacity of information and communication technology (ICT) to help steer the country’s development during the Perspective Plan.

Target Beneficiaries or Sector

General Public

Key Elements

Vision 2021 focuses on the Digital Bangladesh strategy to highlight the tremendous capacity of information and communication technology (ICT) to help steer the country’s development during the Perspective Plan. The national ICT Policy 2009 has expressed its vision in terms of expansion of ICT and its huge potential in establishing a transparent, committed and accountable government, the development of skilled manpower, improvement of social justice, and management of public services. Put together, this will generate the impetus to move Bangladesh towards a poverty-free middle-income prosperous country by 2021. The new Policy suggested access to quality educational materials for studying science, mathematics, engineering and other subjects requiring instruments. At the same time provision may be made for attracting Bangladeshi researchers living abroad. To encourage innovation and production of new technology, a proper institutional system of copyright and patent should be established. In view 55 of the expanded agenda for research in science and technology, a higher share of GDP will be allocated for research and development.

The main goals of Science, Technology, and ICT Policy are: 
• Establishing more institutes of higher learning in science and technology. 
• Allocation of a higher share of GDP to research and development. 
• Productivity increases in all spheres of the economy, including micro, small and medium enterprises. 
• Inclusion of ICT in education and research to expand the scope and standard of knowledge on ICT throughout the country; to ensure computer literacy at all levels of education and government; to encourage creativity. 

Globalization and Bangladesh 
Globalization embraces diverse forms of international integration, including foreign trade, multinational direct foreign investment, movements of short-term portfolio funds, technological diffusion, and cross-border migration. The Bangladesh economy is more integrated with the global market today than ever before. This is largely due to rapid growth in trade, massive outmigration of labour and remittance inflows, liberalization of foreign exchange regime, financial sector reforms, and creation of a favourable FDI regime. In terms of real trade growth, Bangladesh has done well (13th of 130 countries) with trade-GDP ratio rising from 20 percent in 1990 to around 42 percent in 2011. Yet Bangladesh is regarded as a ‘least liberalized’ country ranking 140 out of 152, suggesting a large unfinished agenda. Its capital account, for example, remains restricted with complex capital controls and no convertibility; and there is widespread and arbitrary use of supplementary duties, taxes and other levies on imports, while both domestic and foreign investors find the cost of doing business very high. Globalization presents opportunities as well as challenges for Bangladesh. Through expanding access to ideas, technology, goods, services and capital, globalization certainly creates the conditions for faster growth. Managed wisely, the new wealth generated by globalization creates the scope to lift millions of Bangladeshis out of poverty. Managed badly, it could lead to their further marginalization and impoverishment. What is clear is that missed opportunities in an age of globalization could be costly. Bangladesh having embraced globalization; the right policy framework and infrastructure will be put in place to seize opportunities coming its way and to address challenges.

Priorities in ICT strategy:
• Development of a comprehensive master plan
• Framing of a universal access policy
• Developing legal and regulatory environment for ICT development
• Ensuring access to government information
• Promotion of e-commerce and automation of financial sector
• Establishing e-citizen services
• Enabling e-participation in decision making
• Developing curriculum-based computer labs for education institutions
• Expanding digital content in government websites
• Attracting local investment and FDI in the ICT sector through PPP initiatives
The above strategies are to be implemented in the short and medium term (5 years) along with some complementary strategies to be stretched over a 10-year time frame.

E-governance
E-government is related to the delivery of government services and information to the public using electronic devices. E-governance will manage the way that citizens deal with the government and with each other, allow citizens to communicate with government, participate in government policy making and planning, and to communicate with each other. 
Strategy for E-Government: A sound e-government policy should include a focus on end-users and demand-driven services. Government services will be made available through e-government. Government should prioritize the services that they will initially offer online, such as:
(i) revenue collection,
(ii) improved financial management, and 
(iii) creation of a better investment environment. 
E-Governance Promoting Digital Democracy: Digital democracy is the computerization of political discourse, policy-making and the political process. It ultimately increases, enhances and deepens citizen participation in government policy and decision-making processes through electoral campaigns, voting, consultation, public opinion polling and communication exchange between elected officials and constituents. ICT will contribute to the improvement of E-agriculture, E-medicine, E-learning, and many other knowledge areas. Mutual reinforcement and linkages will allow everyone to benefit. 

Policy/Regulation Mirrors

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