"Bangladesh govt plans internet service for 90 percent population by 2021" says ICT minister Palak

CNI Desk: The government has planned to connect 90 percent of country’s population to the internet service by next year as part of the initiative of Digital Bangladesh, said State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

Currently, 102.1 million out of total 160 million people are now connected with internet services through mobile and broadband, according to latest official data.

The junior minister came up with the information while addressing an online session on Wednesday.

Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) hosted the virtual meeting from its Japan headquarters where participants discussed on ‘digital market place’. Bangladesh focused on its recent initiative of Food for Nation to reach product at people’s doorsteps directly from farms across the country amid corona pandemic.

Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) Secretary General AKP Mostan said that Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The economic forecast says that the country will be in the second position to achieve the fastest economic prosperity between 2019 and 2024.

He also added that the global digital experience platform market is expected to reach US 15.7 billion by 2025.  He lauded the unprecedented development of Digital Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Highlighting the various initiatives taken to create awareness and service to the people during COVID-19, the state minister said Bangladesh government has developed a ICT roadmap for the Covid-19 replacement period alongside continuing innovations in the civil service.