Digital Bangladesh
Digital Bangladesh: World’s 7th largest data centre eyes foreign currency
The National Data Centre is eyeing to be a huge potential source of earning foreign currency as many foreign firms now show interest in storing their data in the center.
The world's 7th largest data centre, set up at Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City in Gazipur, has already started saving the country’s foreign currency in millions of dollars by reducing its foreign dependence on data preservation.
Alongside ensuring the security of the country’s data, the tier-IV data center is now saving Tk 353 core annually as Bangladeshi firms don’t need to preserve their data in foreign lands, according to officials of Bangladesh Data Centre Company Limited (BDCCL).
Read: All govt data to be stored at Kaliakair Data Centre
Besides, the present government set up the Tier-IV National Data Centre on a 7-acre land as part of transforming the country into ‘Digital Bangladesh’ in line with its 2008 electoral manifesto. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the data Centre on November 28, 2019.
“Now any organisation of Bangladesh can store their data in the Tier-IV National Data Centre. Even foreign organisations are showing their interest to store their data here in the heart of Digital Bangladesh,” said company secretary of BDCCL, AKM Latiful Kabir.
Noting that the world standard data centre has ensured data localization in the country, he said if agreements are signed with the foreign firms, the centre would be a great source of earning foreign currency.
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Terming the data centre as the “brain” of Digital Bangladesh, State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak said it is the host of everything, including 55,000 websites, 11 crore National Identity Cards, e-Nothi, Surokkha and registration system.
Noting that the G-Cloud based data centre will have unlimited capacity of preserving data, he said, “We hope we could launch the G-Cloud of Oracle technology within the next six or 12 months. And it will be the largest G-Cloud platform in the Southeast Asia.”
Soldiers ready to build prosperous Bangladesh: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said soldiers have been prepared for making Bangladesh a developed country by 2041 as the young generation is availing of the opportunities to flourish their talents in this Digital Bangladesh.
“Now, I don’t have to worry any more. Of course, Bangladesh would be a developed Bangladesh in 1941. The biggest thing is that our soldiers for building Bangladesh as a developed country are ready,” she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing the celebration of Digital Bangladesh Day-2021 and Digital Bangladesh Award Distribution Ceremony at the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, joining it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
A total of 24 individuals, teams and organisations -- 12 from the national level and 12 from the district level-- received the Digital Bangladesh Award-2021 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the digital sector.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak handed over the awards to the recipients.
Also read: Assess situation before reopening educational institutions: PM
Pointing at the award recipients, Hasina said she is no longer worried about the fulfilment of her Vision 2041 of turning Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country since many youths received the awards and now got the scope to flourish their talents.
“I can say from today I don’t have to worry anymore …we’ve already advanced far in the way to build a technology and knowledge-based society. Inshallah, Bangladesh will move forward,” she said.
The Prime Minister congratulated the youths and other award recipients.
The Digital Bangladesh is being observed with the theme of 'Digital Bangladesh-er Arjan, Upokrito Sokol Jonogon' (The Achievement of Digital Bangladesh: Beneficiaries are All People).
Digital device export
The Prime Minister said if digital devices can be produced and exported properly, it may exceed all other sectors, including RMG, in earning foreign currency.
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Noting that now the garment export is the biggest source of foreign currency, she said her government has a target to promote production and export of digital devices and create scope for the meritorious students to flourish their talents in this sector.
“I think if we can produce and export these digital devices, it’ll surpass all sectors,” she said, adding that the government has a target to increase the export earnings to US$ 5 billion in the digital device sector by 2025.
Talking about the Awami League’s electoral pledge to build Digital Bangladesh, Hasina said they had a goal to create jobs so that the youth, staying home, can flourish their talents, become solvent and develop them as well as simultaneously take Bangladesh forward.
“Soldiers are being created to take the country forward,” she said, extending her sincere thanks to her ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and all other concerned in this regard.
Hasina said the services that her government wanted to provide the people with the help of technology are rendered in Bangladesh. “It has been possible to reach this service from our city corporation to the very grassroots level of a village,” she said.
The PM said her government reduced the price of internet bandwidth to less than Tk 400, which was Tk 78,000 during the BNP government. “We’re going to introduce 5G,” she said.
Mentioning that some 18.13 crore mobile SIM are used in Bangladesh alongside 13 crore internet users, Hasina said internet services are available in almost every house.
Besides, the prizes were conferred among the winners of the online quiz and other competitions arranged on the occasion of the Digital Bangladesh-2021.
At the function, the Prime Minister also unveiled the cover of a book titled ‘Prodhanmontri Sheikh Hasinar Netritte Digital Bangladesh-er Swapna Purun’ (Fulfillment of Dream of Digital Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina), which is featured with achievements and successes in the country’s digital sector.
Hasina also virtually inaugurated some projects, including Freedom Fighter Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal Software Technology Park, Chattogram; Bangabandhu Smriti Ongan and IT Business Centre; Bangabandhu Hi-Tech Park, Sylhet; Sheikh Kamal IT Incubation and Training Centre, KUET, Khulna; and High Speed Internet Broadband Connectivity in 2,600 Union Parishads under the Info Sarkar Scheme (Phase-III).
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus spoke at the function, while ICT Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam delivered the welcome speech.
Axiata Group laud's Bangladesh's digitalisation efforts
Ahead of the upcoming Digital Bangladesh Day on December 12, Izzaddin Idris, president of Axiata Group Berhad and Group CEO, has lauded the digitalisation efforts of the country.
Robi's Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Shahed Alam handed over a congratulation letter from the Axiata Group CEO to State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak Sunday.
READ: Robi’s digital employee healthcare platform becomes role-model for Axiata
In his letter, Izzaddin praised Palak's efforts in setting up hi-tech parks around the country, creating Startup Bangladesh, branding Bangladesh as the leading outsourcing destination for the global ICT sector, and expanding ecommerce in the country.
While thanking Axiata, Palak said: "I am very happy to be able to celebrate the successful implementation of the vision Digital Bangladesh in the same year the country is celebrating the golden jubilee of its independence."
Are digital platforms following the Haldar model of theft?
For the last few months, stories after stories are breaking about theft and fraud by digital platforms. It's unusual considering the country is trying to brand itself "Digital Bangladesh" but coming across digital theft so frequently. These consumer goods selling online super shops have managed to milk millions from the public and stolen crores in the process. They range from the big players like E-valy, Orange, Dhamaka etc and others to many small players who steal and disappear and the media doesn’t even get to hear about them. It’s not a crisis going by the regulators and law enforcers to whom few things in life are a problem but the consuming public who find they are left without any protection.
Cheating by digital online shops is not uncommon globally. However, regulations to protect the client from such elements are also common. These protections are at several levels from the technological to the legal to market operational guidelines.
Read: Evaly is under ACC probe for alleged misappropriation
In the case of Bangladesh, none seem to be present. Just about anyone is allowed to enter the market, start a business, do as they wish, offer any sorts of discounts and after gathering money leave the building. It’s become so common that barring a few top flight names with track records like Chaldal and Daraz , others are looked upon with suspicion.
Bangladesh business structure is crime friendly
The problem is structural in Bangladesh. While in countries where such operations function, the business structure is driven by market rules which tries to prevent theft before it’s committed. But the basics remain the same which is profit making based on market performance, satisfaction of clients and protection of the consumer. However, in the case of Bangladesh, the odds are that it will be hyper profit based and clients are left at the mercy of the scammers. And the scammers rarely suffer, it’s the consumer that does.
The reason is, no scammers are punished because the system is not geared towards their restraint. The business model unfortunately favours the scammers so heavily that nothing has developed as protection tools for the clients.
The best example of this is P.K. Haldar, who ripped off millions of depositors' savings from not one but four leasing companies. As events and facts have shown, almost everyone in the financial system was involved and Haldar’s scam had gone on for years without any opposition by the system. He took advantage of the system because he knew that it meant facilitating crime and getting away if one can. It’s not meant for client protection. Sadly and scarily that is the dominant model.
Read: Owners of e-orange.shop sent to jail over fraud case
One really can’t say that the future looks good for digital economies. None of the outfits have performed well so perhaps any protection must be self-protection and online groceries may be fine but for the rest for the moment it’s best to buy from street shops. Safer.
Future belongs to technologies: FS
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said artificial intelligence, Blockchain and other modern technologies need to be gradually introduced for the greater welfare of people and reaping the benefits of Digital Bangladesh.
He laid emphasis on recalibrating and redesigning the existing institutional structure to extend the services to the doorsteps of people moving to digital platforms.
In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Masud Momen mentioned, there is no alternative to becoming self-sufficient in information technology.
He noted the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for turning the dream of Digital Bangladesh into reality and Prime Minister's Adviser on ICT Sajeeb Wazed, for leading from the front as the driving force behind the design of today's Digital Bangladesh.
Read:Int'l support architecture for Asia-Pacific LDCs need of the hour: Momen
Time to focus on ‘Bangladesh Model’ moving from ‘Bangladesh Miracle’: Radwan Mujib
Radwan Mujib Siddiq has said it is time to move on from referring to the ‘Bangladesh Miracle’ and start focusing on the ‘Bangladesh Model’ as Bangladesh seeks to consolidate its position as a middle-income country.
In his editorial note of the 4th issue of WhiteBoard, country’s first ever policy-based magazine, Radwan said as embodied by Vision 2021 and Digital Bangladesh, this model is anchored on people-centric policies that ensure the much-needed trickle-down effect to produce distributive justice.
In the latest issue of WhiteBoard, Radwan said they look at what needs to be done to take the next step in Bangladesh’s innovation journey.
“We will strive to provide a space where voices, both old and new, can continue debating the most pressing policy choices in Bangladesh,” said Radwan, grandson of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Also read: Please wear masks, keep your loved ones safe: Radwan Mujib
WhiteBoard is published by the think-tank Centre for Research and Information (CRI) to generate ideas for a comprehensive debate on critical national issues (https://whiteboardmagazine.com/2362/its-time-to-focus-on-the-model-not-the-miracle/)
The fourth quarter issue of this magazine was released on Thursday, marking one year of its journey.
Bangladesh charts 9m new social media users
A study has demonstrated the exceptional growth of social media in Bangladesh as more than 900,000 users joined the platform between 2020 and 2021.
The total number of social media users in the country is 45million, according to The Digital Report, a report published in February by We Are Social.
The no of social media users is equivalent to 27.2 percent of the total population of Bangladesh, the report reveals.
Also Read: Social media conundrum – from reckless scrolling to responsible use
Internet users
There were 47.61 million internet users in Bangladesh in January 2021, increased by 7.7 million (+19%) between 2020 and 2021, reveals the report.
Internet penetration in the country stood at 28.8% in January 2021.
According to the report, there were 165.8 million mobile connections in Bangladesh in January 2021, which increased by 1.7 million (+1.1%) between January 2020 and January 2021.
The number of mobile connections in Bangladesh in January2021 was equivalent to 100.2% of the total population, it said.
Internet penetration in the country stood at 28.8% in January 2021.
The World and South Asia
The figures bring the total number of users on social media worldwide to 4.33 billion, or more than half of the world's total population (7.85 billion).
Among other South Asian countries, Pakistan also saw an increase of nine million users during the time between 2020 and 2021.
In India, 47 million people started using social networks between 2020 and 2021.
In Myanmar, the number of social media users increased by seven million during the time, the report states.
Being the most internet penetrated country, in China alone, new users on social networks have reached 85 million in the last twelve months.
On average, more than 1.4 million users per day joined social media in the past year, according to the report.
35,000 modern digital labs to be installed to give more access to girls: Palak
The government is establishing 35,000 modern digital laboratories across the country,aiming to encourage and give more access to girls and young women in Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said this while addressing a virtual roundtable discussion on ‘Accelerating Digital Inclusion for Girls and Women’ as the chief guest.
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He also stressed the need for collaborative effort in mentoring and monitoring from the Government, non-government and private sector to ensure digital inclusion of girls and young women.
KOICA helped establish pillars of Digital Bangladesh: Zunaid Palak
State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak has said KOICA’s different bilateral projects in ICT sector since its operation in Bangladesh remarkably helped Bangladesh to establish the pillars of 'Digital Bangladesh’.
He was addressing a function held in a city hotel on Thursday evening.
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and KOICA Bangladesh Alumni Association (KBAA), jointly celebrated KOICA’s 30th anniversary titled "Deepening Bilateral Ties between Republic of Korea and Bangladesh for LDC Graduation."
Chairman of parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP, Fatima Yasmin, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Lee Jang-keun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh, Monzur Hossain, MP, President, KBAA and Chairman, Rupali Bank Limited and Young-Ah Doh, Country Director, KOICA Bangladesh Office were present.
Bangladesh’s LDC graduation: Govt has its plan to face next challenges
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the government has its own plan about the next move as Bangladesh’s new status as a developing country will pose new challenges for it.