Abbreviations & Acronyms
ADP Annual Development Program
BAC Bureau of Anti-Corruption
BCC Bangladesh Computer Council
BIT Bangladesh Institute of Technology
BTRC Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission
CD Compact Disc
ERD Economic Relations Division
GIS Geographic Information System
HRD Human Resource Development
ICT Information Communication Technology
IT Information Technology
LAN Local Area Network
MOSICT Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology
MW Micro Wave
NAPE National Academy for Primary Education
NBR National Board of Revenue
NII National Information Infrastructure
PDB Power Development Board
PTI Primary Teachers Training Institute
R&D Research & Development
REB Rural Electrification
TTC Teachers Training College
UHF Ultra High Frequency
VAT Value Added Tax
VOIP Voice Over inter net Protocol
WAN Wide Area Network
WLL Wireless Local Loop

1.0 Preamble

1.1 Information Communication Technology (ICT) encompasses the broad fields of data/information processing, transmission and Communications by means of computer and telecommunication techniques and these modern tools are being increasingly used for organizational/personal information processing in all sectors of economy and society. This document presents the policy guidelines for the development of the ICT sector in Bangladesh.

1.2 A dependable information system is essential for efficient management and operation of the public and private sectors. But there is a shortage of locally generated information needed for efficient performance of these sectors. In order to meet this objective, ICT use in every sector shall have to be accelerated in terms in terms of information generation, utilization and applications. Considering the gravity and importance of ICT Hon'ble Prime Minister has already declared ICT as the thrust sector.

1.3 Over the last few years, many nations have taken advantage of the opportunities afforded by ICT within a policy framework, laid down guidelines and proceeded with formulation of a national ICT strategy as a part of the overall national development plan. Bangladesh intends to use ICT as the key-driving element for socioeconomic development.

2.0 Vision and Objectives

2.1 Vision
This Policy aims at building an ICT -driven nation comprising of knowledge based society by the year 2006. In view of this, a country-wide ICT infrastructure will be developed to ensure access to information by every citizen to facilitate empowerment of people and enhance democratic values and norms for sustainable economic development by using the infrastructure for human resources development, governance, e-commerce, banking, public utility services and all sorts of on-line ICT enabled service.

2.2 Objectives

2.2.1 In order to give a thrust to the ICT sector and expeditious development of Software industry and its export required infrastructure facilities and legal frameworks will be created.

2.2.2 Provide effective incentives for development of ICT sector to both local and foreign entrepreneurs:

2.2.3 Develop an efficient ICT infrastructure that provides open access to international and national network;

2.2.4 Promote and facilitate use of ICT in all sectors of the economy for transparency, good governance and efficiency improvement;

2.2.5 Establish legislative and regulatory framework for ICT issues like IPR, data security and protection, digital signature, e-Commerce, ICT education etc. as well as to ensure quality ICT education provided by different private organizations;

2.2.6 Set up national database that are reliable and easily accessible to all the people of the country;

2.2.7 Promote use of ICT by providing special allocations for ICT project implementation in the public sector. Train the decision markers in ICT use and promote a ICT culture;

2.2.8 Develop a large pool of world class ICT professionals to meet the needs of local and global markets.

2.2.9 Set up a very high quality ICT institution to continuously promote and foster ICT Industry.

2.2.10 Enact Laws and Regulations for uninterrupted growth of ICT, in conformity with World Trade Organization (WTO) stipulations.

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