On the Way to Digital Bangladesh

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are recognized as a powerful tool for socio-economic development. With appropriate policies, supplemented by realistic strategies, ICTs are known to have brought tremendous welfare to people in terms of better access to information, job creation, and enhanced public services through efficient governance and diversification of economic opportunities. In Digital Bangladesh, ICT needs to be an enabler to the nation's struggle to achieve the economic, cultural, and social emancipation. Indeed, one of the key tenants of "Digital Bangladesh" is its unmistakable bias towards the poor who constitute a large majority of the people. In many ways, 'Digital Bangladesh' is a reincarnation of the vision of 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal). From this viewpoint, where it makes sense, ICTs and new technologies need to be leveraged in all aspect of national progress of a Digital Bangladesh. Ensuring access to the Digital Bangladesh for all citizens, poor or rich, literate or illiterate, urban or rural is another foundation stone of Digital Bangladesh.