Bangladesh has secured the top spot among SAARC nations in the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI). In fact, Bangladesh achieved the top position by moving 27 notches up in the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI) of Estonia-based e-Governance Academy Foundation this year. Read: China rejects hacking charges, accuses US of cyberspying Bangladesh currently occupies the 38th position among 160 countries with a score of 59.74. Bangladesh was ranked 65th in the December 2020 index. Project Director of BGD e-GOV CIRT Tarique M Barkatullah, who has been working on the cyber security of Bangladesh government, said that the country's capability in cyber security is increasing day by day, and thus gaining recognition in the world. "The BGD e-Govt CIRT is working tirelessly on cyber security. Such recognition will only encourage us to prevent cyber attacks and help increase Bangladesh's capability in cyber security," he added. Read: Bangladesh moves 25 spots up in Global Cybersecurity Index The National Cyber Security Index (NCSI) is created to assess cyber cases, crimes and major crisis management activities, and prevent basic cyber attacks by being prepared. Greece is in the top position with a score of 96.10 in the latest index published on the NCSI website. Czech Republic occupies the second position with 92.21 score, followed by Estonia with a score of 90.91. Read: UNDP launches 'MyResponse' campaign against cyberbullying The United States ranks 17th in the index, while the United Kingdom ranks 19th. Singapore is the only Asian country making it to the top 20, with 19th position. Among other Asian countries, Srilanka ranks 69th, Pakistan 70, Japan, 34, and China 83.

The second session of e-ITEC training on COVID-19 for health professionals in Saarc countries will be held from April 27 to May 6.   Sixty-eight health professionals from Bangladesh have so far taken the benefit of the online course   The presence of nearly 150 participants from seven countries showed commitment to overcoming Covid-19 together, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.    Earlier, India invited healthcare professionals from Saarc countries to join the online training course on prevention and management of COVID-19 pandemic.   All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur is conducting the training course titled ‘Covid19 Pandemic: Prevention & Management Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals’.

India has invited healthcare professionals from Saarc countries to join a five-day online training course on prevention and management of COVID-19 pandemic.

India has come up with a number of offers for Saarc countries to jointly deal with the coronavirus in the region.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday proposed creating a COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Saarc countries saying they can respond best only by coming together, not growing apart.

Stressing the need for forging collaboration among the Saarc countries through collective expertise and resources to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday proposed that an institution be established to prevent and fight any public health threat in the South Asian region in future.  

Bangladesh will highlight the importance of collaboration and partnership as the Saarc countries come together on Sunday afternoon through a videoconference to chalk out a strong strategy for combating coronavirus in the region.