Double budget allocation in ICT

Finance Minister AMA Muhith has proposed to double the allocation in Information and Communication Technology Division for helping the digitalisation process.

The minister in his budget speech in the parliament today, proposed for allocation of Tk 3,974 crore in this sector for the fiscal 2017-18 which was Tk 1,835 crore in the previous fiscal.

The minister also proposed to allocate Tk 2,521 crore for telecommunications division.

On the proposal Muhith said in order to ensure overall development in IT sector in line with the Vision 2021 and the 7th Five Year Plan, they have attached importance to rapid expansion of IT and ITES services and boosting investment in ICT infrastructure.

“In this connection, we have already planned to set up 12 IT parks at the district head quarters and have taken initiatives to set up 7 IT training and incubation centres at seven locations across the country and to expand high speed fiber optical cable connectivity up to union level,” Muhith said.