The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The new budget proposed to form an IT Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund with an allocation of Tk 100 crore to enhance investment in the ICT sector, one of the thrust sectors of the country.

"To ensure easier access, relevant agencies, including Bangladesh Computer Council, will be involved in the process of channeling this fund," Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam said in his budget speech.

He said the government was formulating national e-governance strategy supported by a national ICT roadmap. The first phase of infrastructural work of a 231 acre hi-tech park at Kaliakoir near Dhaka would be completed by the yearend.

"Efforts are underway to attract private and foreign investors to make investment in this IT-park," he said.

Aziz said the government has also taken a number of steps in the area of information and broadcasting as a set of guidelines has been prepared to introduce community radio broadcasting system.

He added that the pay and allowances of the employees working in the newspaper industry have been increased while the rates for publication of government advertisements in the newspapers have been enhanced.

About telephone facilities, he said the tele-density in Bangladesh has increased from 18 per 100 population in the previous year to 28 in the current year with the expansion of telephone facilities, including mobile phone.

Digital telephone exchanges have been set up in 389 upazilas apart from 17 growth centres.

Besides, work is underway to bring the rest of the upazilas under the digital exchange system.

The Finance Adviser also said Bangladesh has joined the information superhighway by connecting itself with the international submarine cable system. "Ninety-two Internet service providers have now been connected with this system."