Internet is one of the means of digital connectivity. However, this internet service has not yet been included in the government’s privileged sector software and information technology enabled services (ITES). As a result, the establishment of Smart Bangladesh by 2041; and the vision of ‘Villages will become towns’ will face a challenge. Internet service provider ISPAB is waiting for the government’s green signal to meet this challenge.
This was the demand of ISPAB President Imdadul Haque to the government representatives present at the Iftar and Doa’ Mahfil held at the Officers Club in the capital on Tuesday. Apart from a large number of members of the organization, leaders and partners of the affiliated organizations like BCS, BACCO, e-Cab and BASIS were also present.
The chief guest at the event, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mostafa Jabbar, did not attend the iftar due to urgency, but spoke by phone to the ISPAB president about his positive position on the issue. State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, who was the special guest, also expressed his support for the inclusion of Internet service in ITES.
He said the issue was discussed at the third meeting of the Digital Bangladesh Task Force. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that she will accept the proposal taken at the meeting. The Information and Communication Technology Department will hold a meeting with the Board of Revenue soon, in this regard.
Regarding the demand, ISPAB President Imdadul Haque said, “We are optimistic that the demand will be met.” And this time, if it is included in ITES, we will be able to easily invest in spreading the internet at the village level, which will get the tax exemption facility till 2025. In this way, the benefits of the Info Gov-3 project will reach the doorsteps of marginalized people. This will accelerate the implementation of the vision, ‘Village will become Towns’.
In the evening, this Iftar program of ISPAB became a gathering of IT and telecom sector. Among others present on the stage were Secretary of Posts and Telecommunications Md. Khalilur Rahman, BTRC Chairman Shyam Sundar Sikder, Vice President Subrata Maitra, Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited Chairman Shahjahan Mahmud, BTCL Managing Director Dr. Rafiqul Matin, BACCO President Wahid Sharif, e-Cab President Shomi Kaiser and others.
Secretary General of the organization Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan conducted the program.
