As Bangladesh transitions from the vision of a Digital Bangladesh to the ambitious goal of becoming a Smart Bangladesh by 2041, the nation stands on the cusp of a transformative journey. This evolution aims to leverage advanced technologies, foster innovation, and enhance connectivity to create a more inclusive and sustainable society.
According to the election manifesto of ruling party Bangladesh Awami-League, Smart Bangladesh envisions a digitally empowered nation with robust infrastructure, inclusive growth, and innovative solutions. By 2041, it aims to ensure universal high-speed internet access, fostering a thriving digital economy where ICT export earnings significantly contribute to GDP. Key sectors like education, health, and agriculture will leverage technology for improved services and productivity.
According to the Information and Communication Technologies Division (ICTD), Smart Bangladesh will be built on four main pillars: Smart Citizens, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society.
Sharing the plan for Smart Bangladesh at different platforms, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Post, Telecommunication, and Information Technology, said: “Smart Citizens will be focused on enhancing digital literacy and skills as well as empowering individuals to thrive in the digital age. Smart Government aims to provide efficient, transparent, and inclusive public services through e-governance and data-driven decision-making. The Smart Economy will drive growth by supporting the ICT sector, developing digital infrastructure, and expanding e-commerce and fintech solutions. Smart Society will leverage digital technologies to improve healthcare, education, and agriculture while promoting sustainable development and environmental preservation. Together, these pillars will ensure a holistic and inclusive digital transformation.”
Smart Bangladesh builds upon the foundation laid by the Digital Bangladesh
The journey towards Smart Bangladesh builds upon the foundation laid by the Digital Bangladesh initiative, a vision that has transformed the country’s digital landscape over the past decade. Launched in 2009, the Digital Bangladesh initiative sought to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) across all sectors of the economy.
Over the past 15 years, the initiative has made significant strides, including: Expanding internet connectivity to rural and remote areas, digitizing government services, making them more accessible and efficient, promoting digital literacy and skills development. All of this has supported the growth of the ICT sector, which has become a significant contributor to the economy.
Bangladesh has made significant strides in building digital governance over the past decade. For instance, the E-Mutation system has digitized the land mutation processes, reducing the time and corruption associated with manual handling. The e-GP system has been implemented to make government procurement processes more transparent and efficient. It allows for online submission and evaluation of tenders, reducing the scope for corruption.
The iBAS++ is an integrated system for managing the government’s financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, and reporting. It enhances transparency and efficiency in public financial management. The e-Filing system has been adopted by various government offices to facilitate paperless administration, speeding up file processing and reducing paperwork.
These initiatives are part of Bangladesh’s broader efforts to leverage digital technologies to improve governance, enhance service delivery, and promote transparency and accountability.
The government has also ensured significant development of ICT infrastructure. For instance, the establishment of several hi-tech parks across the country, such as the Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, providing infrastructure and incentives for tech companies and startups. National Data Center is one of the largest data centres in the world, providing secure and reliable data storage and processing services for both government and private sector use.
The government has begun supporting startups through funding, mentorship, and incubation services. As a result, the country has experienced a significant growth in mobile banking services like bKash, Rocket, and Nagad. This makes financial transactions more accessible to the unbanked population, and has led to the emergence of fintech companies offering innovative financial solutions, such as digital wallets, payment gateways, and microloans.
State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak said 2,500 government services have already turned to e-service through websites. People also get 700 more services through mobile applications.
He made the remarks while talking at a press meet at Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.
He said 100 million people are now getting various e-services from 4,500 union parishads, 320 municipalities, 12 city corporations, and 930 digital service centres where 18,000 youths are working.
In the process of ensuring digitalization, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has attended 1,600 digital meetings, including cabinet meetings, ECNEC meetings during the Covid-19 period, he added while talking about the achievements of Digital Bangladesh.
Digital Education, health and agriculture
The government has established multimedia classrooms in numerous schools across the country to enhance teaching methods and make learning more engaging. The authorities have developed digital content for various subjects to support multimedia teaching and have created online platforms like ShikkhokBatayon for teachers to share educational resources, lesson plans, and teaching materials. Digital versions of textbooks are now available online, making them accessible to students and teachers.
The government has also established digital health centers providing telemedicine services, enabling remote consultations and reducing the need for physical visits. The authorities have ensured e-Health Services Platforms like the Health Innovation Center facilitate remote medical consultations, diagnoses, and follow-ups. Mobile health apps like Aponjon and Doctorola help by providing prenatal and postnatal care information to mothers and caregivers.
Like the health and education sectors, many developments have progressed in the agricultural sector over the last 15 years. Krishoker Janala, a digital platform, provides farmers with various information on best practices and weather forecasts. The A2i Agriculture Portal offers agricultural knowledge, expert advice, and information on crops and livestock. The use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and drones has increased for precision farming, improving crop monitoring and management. Additionally, the e-Krishi platform connects farmers directly with buyers, reducing middlemen and ensuring fair prices.
Vision 2041: Smart Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision for Smart Bangladesh builds on these successes, aiming to harness the power of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data. The Smart Bangladesh framework focuses on four key pillars:
Smart Citizens: Empowering individuals with the digital skills and education needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. This includes initiatives to improve STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, promote lifelong learning, and ensure digital inclusion for all segments of society.
Smart Economy: Fostering a dynamic and innovative economy that leverages technology to drive growth. This includes supporting startups, encouraging digital entrepreneurship, and promoting research and development in cutting-edge fields.
Smart Society: Building sustainable and resilient communities through the use of smart infrastructure and services. This includes smart city projects, intelligent transportation systems, and sustainable energy solutions.
According to the ICT Division, Bangladesh’s vision for Smart Bangladesh is a multi-phase plan aimed at transforming the country into a technologically advanced and inclusive economy by 2041. Here are the periodical goals and corresponding projects, activities, and actions envisioned for 2030, 2035, and 2041.
The targets in first-phase:
The government aims to achieve a complete e-Governance system by 2030, transforming all government services to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. Additionally, the government is considering several other initiatives to build a smart Bangladesh, including a smart economy, smart health, smart agriculture, smart communication, and a smart education system.
The government plans to increase ICT exports significantly by supporting tech startups and creating a conducive environment for tech innovation. It is planning to ensure that over 90% of the population has access to digital financial services.
The government also wants to achieve universal digital literacy among school-aged children and 80% literacy among adults.Develop and expand virtual learning platforms to cover all levels of education, from primary to tertiary.The government will establish a robust telemedicine network that covers even the most remote areas of the country.Around 50% of farms will be equipped withIoT devices and precision agriculture tools.
The government will ensure hi-speed internet for everyone in the country under the Establishing Digital Connectivity Project. Similarly, Joy Smart Service and Employment Training Centres are to be established at every district and upazila in the country to ensure that all the youth can get sufficient training on ICT. Similarly, Primary schools will get Sheikh Russel Digital Labs gradually, along with Secondary and Higher Secondary schools.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the vision of Smart Bangladesh is promising, it also presents several challenges. Ensuring equitable access to technology, addressing cyber-security threats, and managing the ethical implications of AI and data privacy are critical issues that need to be addressed.
However, the opportunities are immense. By embracing a smart approach, Bangladesh can:Enhance the quality of life for its citizens, Boost economic growth and job creation, Improve public services and governance, Achieve sustainable development goals and Public and Private Sector Collaboration.
The successful realization of Smart Bangladesh will require robust collaboration between the public and private sectors. The government has already taken steps to create a conducive environment for innovation, including policy reforms, infrastructure investments, and partnerships with international technology companies.
Shohel Mamun is a freelance journalist.
