Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for investment in digital infrastructure to reduce the broadband divide and technological disparity in LDC countries. At the same time, she opined that LDC countries should not wait any longer for investment in scientific research and technological innovation.
The Prime Minister made this call at a side event titled ‘Investment in Research and Development in Least Developed Countries for Smart and Innovative Society’ at the Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries held at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) Auditorium-3 on Monday (March 6). In the discussion, Sheikh Hasina asked the country’s development partners for five key contributions to build a smart, innovative and knowledge-based society, which will help promote a peaceful, just and inclusive society.
As the first major aid, the Prime Minister mentioned providing appropriate incentives to the international private sector for the transfer of effective technologies to least developed countries, including measures to combat climate change-related disasters. He then sought support in investing in digital infrastructure in LDCs to reduce the broadband divide and technological disparity.
As a third aid, the Prime Minister called for increased cooperation between professional researchers and institutions to deal with the problems and challenges that the LDC countries are facing. He called for the continuation of LDC waivers under the TRIPS agreement, especially for pharmaceuticals and agro-chemicals. Bangabandhu’s daughter also sought help in developing an intellectual resource system that would support both innovation and development in underdeveloped countries.
Informing about the next vision of building a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, she said that it will be based on four key elements – Smart Citizen, Smart Government, Smart Society and Smart Economy.
She further said that in 2009, her government promised the people to build a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by 2021. At the time it seemed like a ‘fairy tale’. But the Covid-19 pandemic has proven that we can keep our promises. But this pandemic has taught us that LDC countries should not wait any longer to invest in scientific research and technological innovation.
The Prime Minister also said that such investment through increasing production capacity is essential to take their economy forward.
Sheikh Hasina said the average GDP expenditure of LDCs for research and development is still below 0.6 percent and only a few of them are in the Global Innovation Index. But with the advent of the fourth industrial revolution, the least developed countries are not in a position to be left behind.
She said, we should involve the youth in the future. For this we need meaningful global partnerships.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh will prove her eligibility in all three criteria by 2021 for LDC transition.