National Policy on ICT

3.8.1 The main focus in the use of ICT and communication technologies in Healthcare will be to deliver new capabilities for hospital and healthcare providers. ICT should be used to develop such capabilities specifically in the areas of electronic medical records, telemedicine, medical and health education, etc.

3.8.2 Telemedicine System Network shall be introduced throughout the country for cost-effective delivery of health care services. The Telemedicine Network will be used for rural patient management, distant medical education, training health professionals and to develop mass awareness for disease prevention.

3.8.3 Development of Bangladesh Health Portal should be given priority for appropriate growth of e-health and telemedicine referral system. International tele-consultation through telemedicine for critical patients will be promoted in both private and public sector.

3.8.4 All public hospitals and medical research centers shall be linked by computer networks with Medical center of excellence as the central hub in order to make expert services available throughout the country. This network may be gradually extended to the local level.

3.9 Agriculture and poverty Alleviation

3.9.1 Agriculture including fisheries and livestock is the main source of earnings for the majority of the people of Bangladesh hence use of ICT systems in these sectors are very much essential to reap its unutilized potentials and thereby improving the socio economic conditions particularly of the rural people. Proper initiatives will be taken to utilize ICT systems in agro-based industries, agricultural research, and dissemination of agricultural technology, agri-business development to the farmers and preparation and maintenance of agricultural database.

3.10 Social Welfare

3.10.1 Nation-wide ICT systems will be implemented for rural development activities, agricultural, horticulture, fisheries and livestock extension for farmers, career guidance for youth, technology guidance for rural enterprises, micro level planning etc. Communities and user groups of beneficiaries would be actively encourage to participate in all such activities.

3.10.2 Public grievance redressal will be incorporated in the ICT-based system to facilitate access to citizens through any of the kiosks, public facilitation centers or Government offices. It would be made email based and strengthened to facilitate monitoring and on-line responses.

3.10.3 Non-government organizations will be encouraged to establish centers at the village level for providing hardware/software or other support services. At the same time the Government will use both the formal and non-formal channels to disseminate information about the application, advantages to communities of the use of ICT.

3.11 Transportation

3.11.1 The government will introduce an ICT0based integrated transport management system.

3.11.2 Commercial transport agencies will be encouraged to deploy Information Technology for dynamic route planning and traffic management.

3.11.3 ICT will be used for online booking and ticketing services of all public and private transport companies.

3.12 Tourism

In order to develop the tourism industry in Bangladesh, use of Information Technology should be strengthened.

3.12.1 Information Technology should be used to project tourists attractions in Bangladesh through the Internet.

3.12.2 A reliable, comprehensive, on-line information system to satisfy the needs of the tourists for travel and accommodation to deliver instant and up-to date information will be developed.

3.12.3 The partnership with both the local and foreign agencies relevant to tourism will be strengthened and encouraged to introduce on-line reservation for travel and accommodation, booking and ticketing for arts and entertainment events and shopping.

3.13 Environment

The growing environmental pollution has endangered all forms of lives including the human existence. In this ear of wired world, the Information Technology can help build the capabilities to fight against the environmental degradation.

3.13.1 Information Technology will be deployed to collect and disseminate information on environmental problems and their causes in order to create awareness about environment among the common people.

3.13.2 Information system for making a complete inventory of existing flora & fauna of Bangladesh, their habitats and other natural communities whose existence has been endangered will be created.

3.13.3 GIS and other ICT-based systems will be set up for planning at the national level, for agricultural crops estimation, for conservation of nature while accommodating compatible land use to maintain the ecological balance.

3.13.4 Information and Communication Technology will used to help solve the most pressing problems of environment in the urban areas like toxic emissions form vehicles, industries and other sources.

3.14 Judiciary

3.14.1 To enhance the capacity for the judiciary, computer based Management Information system (CMIS), with suitable Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN), will be established for the Supreme Court and for the District Courts and Tribunals. It may consists of three interrelated modules, namely, (i) a case management module, (ii) a legal framework module, essentially covering two basic sources of updated, namely the Bangladesh legislative code and the Bangladesh case law (reported Supreme Court rulings) database and (iii) a court administration module, whose areas of application may include court inspection, planning and budgeting, transactions, financial accounts, staff-related information and reporting, statistical applications and records management.

3.15. Regional and International Cooperation

3.15.1 The Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology and BCC will be the focal point for the regional and international cooperation in the area of Information and Communication Technology.

3.15.2 The Ministry of Science and ICT shall explore Regional, sub-Regional and International cooperation and execute collaborative agreements on ICT with developed and developing countries as well as with relevant international agencies and development partners.

3.15.3 The Ministry of Science and ICT will facilitate participation in the regional and international forum to reap benefit for the country's economy.

4.0 Implementation and Monitoring

4.1.1 Government spending in ICT shall be increased to at least 2% of ADP by 2006

4.1.2 New budget provision for ICT should be created for all Ministries, Divisions, Departments and Bodies and all Autonomous sectors should be encouraged to make their own investment in the application of ICT in production, trade and services, ERD should explore external assistance for necessary infrastructure and human resources development conforming to the ICT Policy.

4.1.3 Those ICT companies will get preferential terms, which will be able to meet up 20 percent of its revenue expenditure form the earnings of export of software and ICT-enabled services.

4.1.4 A centralized fund for R&D and HRD will be created within BCC. It will be encouraged to contribute 1% of all profits from Software and ICT-enabled services to the R&D and HRD fund.

Institutional Arrangement for ICT Policy Updating, Standardizing, Implementing and Monitoring

4.2.1 In order to make best utilization of ICT and exploit its immense potential in the economic, social, commercial, and scientific fields and National ICT Task Force headed by the Hon'ble Prime Minister has already been formed. This apex national body will guide in updating, standardizing, implementing, and monitoring the ICT Policy.

4.2.2 The Minister of Science and Information & Communication Technology will collaborate with all Ministries/Division/Department/Autonomous Bodies including Banks and Insurances to promote and use ICT in their respective areas of operation.

4.2.3 MOSICT shall remain alert and apprise the Government on the progress and development of ICT sector both at home and abroad.

4.2.4 MOSICT will work in unison with the private sector and Universities as promoter of ICT activities and business.

4.2.5 MOSICT and BCC will be reorganized and strengthened in phases to cope with the present need and future requirement of ICT.

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