ICT has begun to receive government patronage since
late 1996 and yet has gone through many ups and
downs.
The country ranked 111, with a score of 0.5189, on the
E-Gov Development Index (EGDI) 2022; while it
was in 119th position, with a score of The country
ranked 119th, with a score of 0.5189, on the , in the
2020 ranking.
E-governance is at a beginner level in South Asia. No
country in this region is in the very high EGDI group.
Five South Asian countries are in the high EGDI
group: Sri Lanka (85th), India (100th), Bhutan
(103rd), the Maldives (105th), and Bangladesh.
Nepal (132nd) is in the middle EGDI group.
Afghanistan (169th) is at the bottom in the region,
preceded by Pakistan (153rd).
National Telecommunication Policy
1998
The National Telecommunication Policy was
formulated ensuring the role of private sectors to
facilitate universal telephone services, for
example, cellular mobile telephones, data
services, access to the Internet, voice mail and
video conferencing, etc., throughout the country.
The policy also emphasized on the need of
formulating a new act ensuring the
establishment of a telecommunication
regulatory commission.
National ICT Policy 2002
Bangladesh adopted its first ICT Policy in October
2002 aiming at building an ICT-driven nation
comprising of knowledge-based society by 2006.
The policy priorities on producing a large number of
skilled ICT professionals by strengthening ICT
education and to ensure capacity building of the
nation appropriate infrastructure to be setup
immediately in public and private sectors.
The policy stresses on the local software industry,
hardware industry and service industry and e-
commerce.
However, the policy failed to achieve its desired goals
within the stipulated time as it was too ambitious.
Secretariat Instructions 2008
It sets a general guideline to ensure the
maximum use of ICT in all possible
functions of all divisions/departments at the
Secretariat.
Use of ICT has been added for issues such as
file management, archiving of records, e-
mail, websites, video conferencing, and
security and confidentiality.
Digital Bangladesh 2009
Right before the election, the AL unveiled
the concept of ‘Digital Bangladesh’ (DB) in
its election manifesto—Vision 2021
Bangladesh: A New Horizon.
He pledge was also reiterated in the
government’s updated manifesto in July
2009
National ICT Policy 2009
Although the initiative was taken during the caretaker
government to review and modify the existing ICT
Policy 2002
AL approved the policy bringing philosophical change
in the policy to accommodate the vision of DB.
The ICT Policy 2009 has integrated all the elements of
the National ICT Policy 2002 in a planned manner
with required updates necessitated by developments
since 2002.
The policy constituted a pyramid with one vision.
A pyramidal framework is now being followed in
which the vision remains at the top as the ultimate
goal, and the other linked parameters (ten objectives,
fifty-six strategic themes, and 306 action items) are
laced in the subsequent layers.
The committee also recommended for separate
allocations in the national budget for implementing
the action items and a budget line for e-governance.
Information and Communication
Technology (Amendment) Act
2009
Bangladesh enacted the much desired Information
and Communication Technology Act 2006 in October,
2006.
To build the legal structure of ICT encompassing
various aspects of ICT.
Later in 2009 the government amended
Added security online transactions, cyber crime
offences.
Right to Information Act 2009
The Act makes provision for establishing
good governance ensuring transparency and
accountability in all public, autonomous
and statutory organisations and government
or foreign funded non-government
organisations
Bangladesh Telecommunications
(Amendment) Act 2010
This Act also had the provision for transferring of the
powers and functions of the Ministry of Post and
Telecommunication to the Commission.
The Act underwent a massive modification in 2010 and
experts opine that the amendment makes way for
some strict provisions including return of a number of
powers of the commission.
International Long Distance
Telecommunication Services Policy
2010
The policy is to provide low-cost international
telecommunication services using modern
technologies, encourage local businesses and
enterprises in telecommunication sector including the
Next Generation Network (NGN) Technology.
Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority
Act 2010
Establishment and expansion of Hi-Tech industry for
creation, management, operation and development of
Hi-Tech Park within the country.
National ICT Policy 2018
The government has taken a move to prepare a new
national information communication and technology
policy by amending the National ICT Policy 2015 to make it
time befitting due to the emergence of 5G technology and
fourth industrial revolution.
‘The National ICT Policy 2018’ has been prepared by the
ICT division keeping a provision to implement eight
strategic issues including digital government, digital
security, social equity and universal access to education,
research and innovation, skill development and
employment generation, strengthening of domestic
capacity to cope with the changes of emerging
technologies.
Vision
Establishment a transparent, accountable government
through the use of information and communication
technology;
Efficient human resource development; Ensuring
social justice and public services to the public in
partnership with the public and private sectors .
Construction of 'Digital Bangladesh' by 2021
To make Bangladesh a knowledge-based state by 2041.
Objectives
Digital Government
Digital Security
Social Equity and Universal Access
Education, Research and Innovation
Skill Development and Employment Generation
Strengthening Domestic Capability
Environment, Climate & Disaster Management
Enhancing Productivity
Automation
Digital Government
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Artificial Intelligence
Digital Commerce
Digital Divide
Digital Device
Digital Security
Digital Payment
Digital Signature
Intellectual Property Rights
Managed Service)
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