Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said that the survey conducted earlier in the light of the proposal of Digital Service Design Lab (DSDL) is a historic milestone in the establishment of Smart Post Office. This has resulted in a strong foundation for digitization of production-oriented activities. In continuation of this, through the implementation of the master plan of construction of smart post office, the postal service will soon be improved to the desired level. The Minister directed the concerned to take up the process of speedy initiation of the Smart Post Office construction process based on the recommendations of the concerned experts of the survey conducted for Smart Postal Service.
The minister conveyed these points while speaking as the chief guest in a meeting regarding the implementation of the action plan adopted and jointly initiated by the Department of Posts and the a2i program at the Dak Bhaban Auditorium in Agargaon of the capital on Wednesday.
He said that a2i has developed many solutions to digitize government institutions. We need to see if the organization that needs transformation is transforming. The minister mentioned that the preparation of DSDL recommendations in coordination with postal officials is a fruitful initiative of a2i. Pointing out that smart post offices are essential for smart Bangladesh, this pioneer of digital technology development said that the country will benefit if the huge infrastructure and network of post offices across the country is properly utilized. In today’s age of digital technology, every person to person communication can also be done by postal department. This institution knows every person in every corner of the country.
The minister said, in the survey report presented on February 6 this year, implementation of new business models for smart business, emphasis on G-to-G postal services and ecosystem development, besides changing mindsets and existing mindsets to create smart capabilities, adoption of smart technologies and building capacity to use smart technology is talked about.
He said, in the survey report conducted on the establishment of smart post offices, smart digitization, smart infrastructure, smart business and smart capability, the formation of smart BPO commission, the formation of smart BPO task force and the DPP is ready to implement these four issues in the shortest possible time, and the formulation of smart BPO strategy. And refers to the financial sources and policy decision-making of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications. Apart from this, the survey report has recommended three options for implementation of smart post offices. The first is the integrated implementation of the four components, the second option is the implementation of priority issues and the third option is the Smart GPO model. The minister directed to implement the third method out of these three options and take up a project immediately.
The first is the simultaneous implementation of all four components to establish the entire postal system as a smart post office. The possible time for this has been set at 8 years and the possible cost has been estimated at BDT 3,000 to 3,500 crores. The second option is a single project based on priority. This includes automated mail processing centers, integrated digital projects and infrastructure and logistics support. The possible time for its implementation has been estimated at 5 to 8 years and the potential cost has been estimated at BDT 2,500 crores. The minister emphasized the need to start the work of building Smart Bangladesh quickly based on the advice of the relevant experts after checking all the accessories.
It may be noted that, the survey was conducted under the ‘Automated Mail Processing Construction Project for Bangladesh Post Office’ as per the recommendations of Digital Service Design Lab (DSDL) under the management of a2i for post office digitization. The Minister of Post and Telecommunication said, “Even though the postal system of letter exchange has become inactive, the ongoing program of making the post office suitable for meeting the huge demand of delivery of various products including documents at the doorstep of the people has been made successful in the event under the chairmanship of the Director General of the Directorate of Posts Md. Harunur Rashid, a2i officer Farhad Zahid Sheikh Sabbir Rahman. And senior officials including the relevant project director of the Department of Posts were present.
The Director General of the Department of Posts promised to set up a committee to determine what to do in the light of the recommendations for the implementation of the Smart Post Office program and take initiatives to accept and implement the project in the light of the committee’s report.