Govt to Launch One Digital ID, Digital Wallet; Targets Top 20 in Telecom Services
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad has emphasized that telecom service providers should focus not only on transforming into information technology companies but also on developing the entire digital ecosystem.
He said the government has been implementing one manifesto commitment after another since assuming office and announced that Bangladesh will soon introduce a One Digital ID and One Digital Wallet system. He also revealed that an Innovation Hunt initiative will be launched within the next 15 days, while a startup grant program aimed at building a national startup ecosystem will begin within the next 30 to 60 days.
He made the remarks while speaking as a special guest at the inauguration ceremony of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Sunday, May 17.
Rehan Asif Asad said that although Bangladesh ranks among the top 10 countries in terms of telecom subscriber numbers among 103 countries, it still lags far behind in service quality. “We cannot move forward this way. Therefore, within the next five years, we want to reach the top 20 countries and eventually the top 10 in terms of service quality,” he said.
He added that different studies show varying statistics, but broadband penetration growth of 10 percent contributes around 1 percent growth to GDP. “This alone demonstrates the enormous potential of the sector. That is why, together with the private sector, we want this industry to contribute 10 to 15 percent to GDP within the next five years.”
He identified taxation as a major barrier and said the government is working on reducing the burden through a holistic approach. “Over the next five years, we want to provide some of the world’s best 5G and broadband services. To reduce digital inequality, we can establish fiber connectivity down to upazila and union levels,” he added.
Speaking at the event, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul said digital transformation would fail to deliver meaningful outcomes unless women and children are protected in digital spaces. She stressed the need for greater awareness against disinformation and misinformation.
State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain said there are ongoing attempts to control submarine cable routes passing beneath the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized the need for policies that strengthen local entrepreneurs to ensure national sovereignty in this sector.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat stressed the importance of distributing responsibilities among multiple companies rather than assigning all service tiers to a single company.
DBTech/SI/EK/OR
