DHAKA, June 26, 2024 (BSS) - In a significant stride towards enhancing digital governance, Bangladesh is set to accelerate its digital transformation through a collaborative effort with the open-source community GovStack formed by International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

This initiative was revealed at a two-day international workshop titled 'Whole-of-Government Digital Transformation Leveraging GovStack' in the city today, said an a2i press release.

Aspire to Innovate (a2i) of the ICT Division in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organized the event while State Minister of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present at the event.
 
The release said this initiative will focus on the development and implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) through public-private collaboration, said an a2i press release.

By leveraging the expertise of GovStack and fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, Bangladesh aimed at creating more efficient, transparent, and accessible public services, ensuring a smarter and more connected government.

Speaking on the occasion, Palak emphasized on the Vision 2041 and said it will be realized through collaborative partnerships with the government, academia, industry, NGOs, international organizations and media.

Highlighting Prime Minister's transformative leadership, which has driven significant advancements in realizing the Digital Bangladesh vision over the past decade, he said within the next 17 years, Bangladesh set target to achieve a knowledge, innovation and technology-based Smart Bangladesh vision.

"Our goals include reaching a trillion-dollar economy, achieving a per capita income of $12,500, fostering at least 50 unicorns, and growing our ICT industry to a value of $50 billion," Palak said.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, ICT Secretary Md Shamsul Arefin, ITU Regional Director Atsuko Okuda and a2i Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury spoke at the event while a2i Project Director (Additional Secretary) and CEO of Agency to Innovate Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan gave the opening remarks at the workshop.