By Staff Correspondent
State minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley, among others, attend the consultation workshop on ‘Supporting Transparent E-Governance Policies in Bangladesh’ held in a city hotel on Tuesday. — New Age photo
The European Union on Tuesday revealed a study report showing five main challenges, including lack of basic ICT skills and knowledge among population and poor internet connectivity, to digistalisation in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh ranks 126th of 141 countries in mobile internet and 105th of 180 countries in broadband internet connectivity till October 2022, according to the report titled ‘Scoping Study: e-Governance Polices in Bangladesh.
The three other challenges include irregular access to energy necessary to run individual computer equipment for power shortages and outages, lack of adequate access to e-services due to lack of available ICT equipment, connectivity and devices among population, and lack of specialists to take full advantage of and create added value from the existing infrastructure, said German-based GOPA worldwide consultants Jon Echanove and Sadik Hasan at a city hotel on Tuesday at a consultation workshop titled Supporting Transparent E-Governance Policies in Bangladesh.
The objective of the study is to facilitate identification of concrete policy and technical initiatives where the EU can support the Bangladesh government with its digitalisation plans.
The GOPA worldwide consultants conducted the study in association with the European Union.
Sadik Hasan said that the study began on May, 2022 and was continuing.
‘We have interviewed government officials and are analysing the government policy to make the outcome of the study,’ he said.
Speaking as the chief guest, state minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, ‘Under Digital Bangladesh 2021 we aimed to reduce the visit time and costs for citizens by bringing services to their door steps.’
‘Under Smart Bangladesh 2041 we aim at more efficient, transparent and seamless public services – paperless and cashless – for all….. With right policies, knowledge and skills Bangladesh can become a true digitally innovative country. We look forward to the European Union’s support to our efforts,’ the state minister hoped.
In his closing remarks, Charles Whiteley, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, said that in a strategic context where digitalisation and e-governance were stepping stones in Bangladesh’s socio-economic development, the European Union could fulfill two important roles: the role of knowledge-broker and that of partnerships-facilitator.
‘Now it is time to move ahead and tap into digitalisation’s unique potential as an accelerator and enable for better governance, better education, better social protection, and better service delivery,’ Charles added.
The study also shows the current situation of Bangladesh and comparative analysis with Malaysia and the Philippines in terms of education, e-government, labour and social welfare, and equality and universal access.
The recommendations issued are formulating a policy encouraging local manufacture of ICT equipment like smartphone, tabs, laptops and computer, addressing the issue of poor internet connectivity, building skilled human resources, and applying best practices in the use of ICT for educational purposes.
The other recommendations include digital government master plan that needs to be updated periodically and appropriate policy intervention that is required to make digital centres or service-based skill friendly to people with disabilities.
In her welcome speech, EU Delegation Human Capital Development and Education team leader Jurate Smalskyte Merville said, ‘We need to make sure that we have a level playing field and robust coordination channels in place so that every partner is on the same page, up-to-speed and contributes meaningfully to Bangladesh’s digital transformation agenda while closing the digital divide and addressing challenges in connectivity, digital education, access to internet and adequate infrastructure.’
