“Coronavirus cases was first detected in Bangladesh on March 8. But the government’s administrative works remained uninterrupted in  the last eight months. More than 1 million e-files have been cleared during the period,” he said this at a progrmme titled ‘Despite Maintaining Social Distancing, I Am Still Connected’, marking Digital Bangladesh Day 2020 that falls on December 12.

Palak said all the administrative works ranging from that of the prime minister’s office to the union parishad were not stopped for a single day. “It has been possible due to advancement in information technology.

He said the Awami League rolled out 'Digital Bangladesh Vision' on December  12,2008 and after coming to  power, it has achieved its vision.

“The volume of online sale went up 30-50% during the pandemic.  More than 50,000 young people are working in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. Around 10 lakh young people are in online freelancing. Mobile phone sets and laptops are being assembled in Bangladesh now,” Palak added.

Director general ICT Division ABM Arshad Hossain said Digital Bangladesh Day will be celebrated this year for the fourth time both online and offline due to the pandemic.

“Our aim is to construct  sustainable ICT infrastructure in the country. The Covid-19 has created a chance to do it,” he said.

According to him, an international seminar will be organised on the day celebrating the 12-year journey under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. PM’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy will present the keynote at the programme after inauguration  the main event by President Abdul Hamid.

There will also be an online quiz contest. Registration for the online quiz competition started on November 26 that will continue until  December 7.

The participants will have to register through quiz.degitalbangladesh.gov.bd. The quiz competition will be held on 8 December. The winners will get laptops and mobile phones.

Also read: Draft of data privacy and localization law is prepared: Palak