Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb Calls for Strong Data Governance to Drive Bangladesh’s Digital Transformation
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, has said that Bangladesh’s digital transformation can no longer be confined to fragmented projects or app-based initiatives. Rather, it must be pursued as a long-term, foundational state-driven transformation with data governance, cybersecurity, and citizens’ rights at its core.
He made the remarks while addressing the international conference titled “Building Trust and Sustainability through Data Governance”, held on Wednesday, 17 December, at the Bangladesh–China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka. The conference was organised by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB), the ICT Division’s EDGE Project, with support from the Government of Bangladesh.
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb noted that although Bangladesh has developed numerous digital systems, the lack of interoperability has emerged as a major challenge. As a result, evidence-based decision-making is hampered and artificial intelligence cannot be used effectively.
He added that the government has already begun work on establishing three key legal pillars—cyber safety, personal data protection, and national data governance—which will serve as the foundation of the country’s future Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
Highlighting the issue of telecommunications and device access, he said digital services can only be effective when citizens have access to secure devices and equitable network connectivity, regardless of whether they live in urban or rural areas.
Looking ahead, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said every citizen would have a digital data wallet in which information from birth to death would be securely stored, with data accessible only for a specified period and strictly with the citizen’s consent. He stressed that without a solid legal and infrastructural foundation, digital transformation remains an illusion, adding that the government has moved away from such flawed approaches and has begun building the right fundamentals.
ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, NDC, said that effective data governance is not limited to policy formulation alone. It requires strong institutional capacity, cross-sector coordination, and a clear accountability framework. As digital services expand across both public and private sectors, ensuring responsible data use, security, and compliance is essential for building public trust and achieving sustainable digital transformation.
Data protection, management, and responsible use in the digital era were the central themes of discussion at the conference.
Three separate sessions focused on the practical implementation of data protection policies, benchmarking Bangladesh’s data governance against international standards, and the role of professional accountants in data stewardship. Representatives from government agencies, international organisations such as the World Bank and UNDP, private sector entities, and experts from the legal and technology sectors took part in these discussions.
Speakers emphasised that a robust and trustworthy data governance framework can be established through coordinated efforts among the government, regulators, professional bodies, and the private sector—an approach that would enhance trust and contribute to Bangladesh’s sustainable development.
The conference was attended by ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, NDC; President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Jean Bouquot; World Bank Bangladesh and Bhutan Division Director Jean Pesme; along with policymakers, representatives of international organisations, professional accountants, and legal and technology experts.
DBTech/JU/EK/OR
