Govt declares Dec 12 Nat'l ICT Day

Bangladesh has acknowledged December 12 as National ICT Day, the date on which the Awami League declared its “Digital Bangladesh” mandate back in 2008.

The decision was taken at today’s regular cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after a proposal was placed from the ICT Division.

State Minister for ICT, Junaid Ahmed Palak told The Daily Star that the acknowledgement will be a boost for the government’s march towards Digital Bangladesh by 2021.

Bangladesh’s ICT-related sector is blossoming and has come to focus. The growing industry has already fetched $800 million this year by selling software and related services.

Government hopes are high that the export earnings will increase more in the future, and that it will surpass the apparel export, Bangladesh’s biggest export, at one point.

Also in the cabinet today, the government endorsed in principles the draft policy of Barendra Multipurpose Development Authority 2017 with a target to expand the institution.

What was previously composed of Rajshahi division and some areas of Rangpur division will be expanded to include all districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, consisting of an advisory board headed by agriculture minister.