Staff Correspondent:

In the review meeting of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2024-25 of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, it was reported that despite investing a staggering Tk 65,000 crore in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as well as the postal and telecommunications sectors from 2010 to August 2024, the expected progress has not been achieved.

In the meeting room of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, a review meeting was held on Monday regarding the progress of ADP implementation under the chairmanship of Secretary Dr Md Mushfiqur Rahman. Adviser to the interim government Md Nahid Islam was also present as the chief guest, according to a press release issued on Monday.

Adviser Nahid Islam said, “Since 2010, a significant amount of money has been spent on various projects under the banner of Digital Bangladesh, but the people have not seen the results.”

The released mentioned that of the Tk 65,000 crore invested, the ICT Division is the recipient of Tk 25,000 crore, while the Posts and Telecommunications department will be managing projects worth Tk 40,000 crore.

ALWAYS LAGGING BEHIND

Therefore, according to the ICT Development Index of the International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations as of June 2024, Bangladesh has scored 62 out of 100. In this ranking, Bangladesh is positioned after Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Vietnam, and Bhutan.

According to the Ookla Speedtest Global Index for May 2024, Bangladesh ranked 109 out of 147 countries in terms of internet speed with Kenya ahead of Bangladesh in this ranking.

Additionally, Bangladesh is positioned 108 in the broadband internet index while India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Rwanda, and Ghana are also ranked above among the countries listed. The same goes for IMF’s Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index for June 2024, where Bangladesh is ranked 113 out of 174 countries.

In the Surfshark Digital Quality of Life Index 2023, which evaluates digital quality of life, Bangladesh is ranked 82 out of 121 countries. Bangladesh has declined five positions from the previous year.

According to the index, internet speed in Bangladesh is five per cent below the global average. In the e-Government Index, Bangladesh is ranked 73, which is below the global average. In the e-Security ranking, Bangladesh is 85th, and in terms of internet affordability, it is ranked 77th.

The press statement further said that according to a report by the American magazine CEO World for April 2024, Bangladesh is also lagging in freelancing. In the list of the top 30 destinations for freelancing, Bangladesh is ranked 29th, ranking after India and Pakistan.

NO REAL DIGITAL BANGLADESH

Analysing these indicators, it clearly shows that the people of the country have not got the real opportunities of Digital Bangladesh, but there have been widespread irregularities in this regard, Nahid Islam remarked.

He further said that it is often observed that projects are not completed within the stipulated timeframe, and even after extending the deadline once or twice, further extensions are still required. Therefore, the extensions for the few projects currently being discussed should be granted with careful consideration.

The adviser commented that if the projects are completed properly, there will be significant progress in the internet and telecommunications sectors in Bangladesh, and the benefits will be enjoyed by the citizens of the country. He also remarked on the need to reduce project costs, avoid delays, provide regular updates on software, and complete projects on time.

It was announced at the meeting that for the fiscal year 2024-25, a total of nine projects have been undertaken across four departments of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.

Of these, BTCL has taken on five projects, Teletalk Bangladesh Limited has one, posts department has two, and Bangladesh Submarine Cable PLC has one project.

Overall, the project review shows that for the fiscal year 2024-25, as of August 2024, the national progress stands at 1.02 per cent, while the progress in the ministry is at 3.84 per cent.