Digital Drive Delayed: Minister Calls for Coordinated ICT Ecosystem Reform

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s digital ecosystem.

He stated that the country has not yet fully transitioned from an analog to a digital paradigm. As a result, existing digital services are being used in a fragmented manner, and a fully integrated digital ecosystem has yet to be established. Despite the sector’s vast potential, policy, technological, and tax-related constraints are preventing these benefits from reaching the general public in full.

He further noted that rapid infrastructural reforms are necessary through joint initiatives between government regulatory bodies and private entrepreneurs. In particular, adopting timely policies that include small and medium stakeholders would accelerate the expansion of digital services.

He made these remarks on 13 April, Monday, at the opening ceremony of the ‘Broadband Expo 2026’ held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

Calling on all stakeholders to implement timely reforms, Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that such measures would benefit entrepreneurs while ensuring that citizens receive high-quality digital services.

In his speech as the chief guest, the Information and Broadcasting Minister added that while access to information was once the primary challenge, ensuring protection from misinformation and disinformation has now become equally important. The right to information is no longer limited to the free flow of data; it also includes the assurance of receiving accurate information.

Highlighting the negative impacts of misinformation and disinformation on society, politics, and the economy, he said that formulating effective and citizen-friendly policies for digital communication systems is essential for building a modern welfare state.

The event, chaired by ISPAB President Aminul Hakim, was attended by the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Rehan Asif Asad, as a special guest. Other special guests included Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Abdoon Naser Khan, BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Emdad Ul Bari, and ISPAB General Secretary Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan.

DBTech/SM/EK/OR