UDCs increased by 592 in one year, scope of service increased by 5 lakh
As a beacon of digital Bangladesh, local entrepreneurs are delivering all public and private services at the doorstep of people through Upazila Digital Centers-UDCs spread across the country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina established this model of digital center across the country on November 11, 2010 under the management of Aspire to Innovate-a2i.
According to sources, now, more than 17 thousand 800 entrepreneurs are providing services across the country. Among them, more than 385 public and private services offered are from 9397 Union Digital Center. More than 75 lakh services are being provided from this center every month in 13 years of its establishment. More than 78.14% of the time through this; 16.55% more expenses and 17.38% more travel savings by Union Digital Center entrepreneurs.
Last year when a tenure of 12 years was completed, there were 8,805 digital centers in the country. At that time, an average of more than 70 lakh services were provided from each center per month. The project director at the time of the anniversary ceremony Dr. Dewan Mohammad Humayun informed that entrepreneurs have provided more than 80.28 crore services to the citizens from this center. As a result, citizens have been able to save 78.14% working hours, 16.55% expenses and 17.4% travel.
Statistics show that the number of UDCs has increased by 592 in one year. The scope of service increased by 5 lakhs. And though the cost and time saving rate remained unchanged, the citizen's travel savings increased by 34%.
At the anniversary of UDC, Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor of a2i said, a2i is working with various ministries and stakeholders of the government to add new people-friendly services to the digital centers. We have already started activities to make digital centers across the country as cottage, micro, small and medium (CMSME) industry hubs in all Upazilas of the country. Besides, initiatives are being taken to replace the digital center model established in Bangladesh in foreign soil in the future. There are plans to replace the Bangladesh Digital Center model in 50 of its 170 member countries within the next three years with the help of the United Nations.
