Key highlights:
- Verifying 13.5 crore national identity cards on surokkha.gov.bd is a major step in public health during COVID-19 vaccination
- The government’s forensic analysis of 441 samples in 51 cases from 25 organizations enhances cybersecurity efforts significantly
- Since the launch of Digital Signature Training, 28,447 officials nationwide underwent specialized sessions, boosting digital signature skills
- EkShop’s model found adoption in South Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen
In the heart of South Asia, where tradition seamlessly meets technology, Bangladesh is propelling itself into a new era of governance through the dynamic embrace of E-Governance. Nestled between India and Myanmar, this vibrant nation is not merely adapting to the digital age; it is orchestrating a symphony of innovation that echoes across bureaucratic corridors and public services alike.
The essence of “Digital Bangladesh” is deeply embedded in the government’s commitment to advancing e-governance for national development. The Vision 2021 initiative propelled the country towards a future where digital technology fuels advancements in e-governance, despite encountering various bottlenecks and limitations. Ongoing efforts persist across all administration areas, with completed e-government projects showcasing progress, and numerous others actively in development.
With 190.36 million mobile subscribers and 131.44 million Internet subscribers, the country is actively embracing the advantages of e-governance across diverse sectors while working towards the overarching goal of augmenting digital services for its people.
Achievements of the Bangladesh National Digital Architecture (BNDA)
The verification of 13.5 crore national identity cards (NID) for COVID-19 vaccination on surokkha.gov.bd is a significant stride in public health. The digital food supply system, incorporating data from 272 upazilas and 8,80,000 farmers, efficiently manages agricultural logistics, yielding rice/paddy equivalent to 400 crore taka. This showcases technology’s transformative impact on food supply chains.
Mobile apps for population registration have crossed borders with 23,000+ downloads from 30+ countries. Additionally, 2,45,000 job applications in 31 government organizations via the online recruitment system exemplify the modernization of administrative processes, demonstrating technology’s role in streamlining public services.
Cybersecurity with BGD e-GOV CIRT
Having completed forensic analysis on 441 samples in 51 cases from 25 organizations, the government has played a pivotal role in bolstering cybersecurity efforts. Additionally, they’ve been instrumental in assisting 5,576 cyber incident responses for 261 government organizations.
Conducting risk assessments, they have actively contributed to the creation of 171 detailed reports highlighting vulnerabilities in government websites and applications and delivered 1,887 consultations, alert messages, and news releases on cybersecurity.
Under the auspices of the BGD e-GOV CIRT project, the collective efforts have significantly elevated Bangladesh’s standing in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2020 (ITU). Notably, the nation has ascended from the 53rd position in 2019 to an impressive 31st position. As of the latest available information in 2021, Bangladesh holds this noteworthy position.
Cyber Security Awareness for Women in Digital Security
Under the overarching umbrella of this initiative, comprehensive training sessions addressing cybercrime and security have been diligently delivered to 101,850 female students up until the end of June 2023.
This far-reaching training endeavor, strategically executed across all 64 districts, not only imparts invaluable knowledge but also culminates in the prestigious ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification for the Cyber Security Agency, thereby elevating its status to that of an internationally recognized institution.
Sinc the inception of Digital Signature Training, an impressive cohort comprising 28,447 government officials from diverse regions nationwide has undergone specialized training sessions on digital signatures.
Strengthening Citizen Services
The “999” emergency center, dedicated to providing essential services such as police, fire, and ambulance assistance, has emerged as the preeminent and efficacious service in the nation. Leveraging the capabilities of the Information and Communication Technology Division, this center has successfully facilitated aid to nearly 50 million citizens.
In a concerted effort to enhance citizen access to governmental services, the toll-free helpline “333” has been instituted. With a staggering record of over 89.6 million calls received to date, it has seamlessly delivered telemedicine services to more than 7.8 million citizens. Notably, the administration has adeptly resolved over 120 thousand social issues through 15 integrated service centers.
The Cyber Security Agency, presently known as the Cyber Security Agency, has spearheaded the Digital Helpdesk initiative, offering invaluable information and counsel on cybersecurity. This service is accessible through both the national helpline “333” and directly at “104.” Remarkably, the helpdesk has catered to the needs of approximately 400,000 citizens in the fiscal year 2022-2023.
Judicial Services at Your Fingertips
To facilitate convenient access to judicial services within a centralized platform, the judiciary has introduced the My Court mobile application. This application, designed to streamline the interaction between citizens and the judicial system, enables users to swiftly retrieve comprehensive information and access various services offered by the judiciary.
The E-Karjo-Talika platform, accessible at causelist.judiciary.gov.bd, serves as a digital conduit for litigants and affiliated individuals to obtain real-time updates on their cases from any geographical location. Presently operational in all 64 districts, this online case management system is pivotal in enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of judicial processes.
The Judicial Dashboard stands as a sophisticated digital information management system dedicated to gathering, presenting, and preserving diverse data associated with pending and concluded cases within the subordinate courts of Bangladesh. Through robust monitoring and tracking mechanisms, this platform contributes to expediting and optimizing judicial services, ensuring a more responsive and effective legal framework.
Paving the Way for Sustainable Development
In pursuit of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the SDG Tracker (sdg.gov.bd) has been established to meticulously aid policy formulation, resource allocation, and informed decision-making. Presently, 53 SDG trackers provide data to 29 organizations, with 1,450 officials trained.
The ‘Helpdesk for Expatriates’ at digital centers supports Bangladeshi citizens traveling abroad, with 444 helpdesks nationwide. The Sathi Network, a collaboration with Bangladesh Bank and others, engaged 300 female entrepreneurs, bringing banking services to over 200,000 rural women.
EkPay (ekpay.gov.bd) streamlines civic services, processing 1.68 crore utility bill payments totaling 24.57 crore taka through 38 channels. EkShop extends e-commerce to rural areas, delivering 81 lakh products with 180,000 entrepreneurs participating. EkShop’s model has been adopted in South Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen.
In the kaleidoscope of tradition and technology, Bangladesh is not merely riding the waves of digital transformation; it is propelling into a future where governance is not just efficient but inclusive, where technology serves as an enabler for the betterment of every citizen.
