Bangladesh's digital ecosystem gathered last week for the Digital Bangladesh Mela, focusing on how connectivity can fuel the ambitions of Smart Bangladesh and the nation's next phase of growth. Strong collaboration between public and private sectors holds the key to this.
The growth and development Bangladesh has achieved, having become an economic success story in recent years, is impressive. This trajectory has the potential to continue; an economic report from global management consultants BCG points to Bangladesh as a local champion sitting on a one trillion-dollar economic opportunity.
Mobile connectivity can continue to play its role as people's primary means of internet access and their main form of digital technology use in Bangladesh's development story.
In fact, in “Digital Lives Decoded” a study conducted in 2022 by Telenor Asia, respondents from Bangladesh said that mobile access improves their social relationships, makes life more convenient and makes it easier to be part of the digital economy.
They expect the time they spend online to increase further over the coming years. Earning an income, entertainment, and social interaction are flagged as the main drivers of this increase, propelling Bangladesh further into the digital world and closer towards realizing the vision of a Smart Bangladesh.
When people have the right tools and knowledge, significant economic opportunities can be sparked by expanding mobile usage.
Every single Bangladeshi needs to have access to reliable, affordable connectivity, and an opportunity to build digital skills. This is the only way to fully tap into the potential of technology and meet the nation's Smart Bangladesh and digital development aspirations.
Last year, the Grameenphone Academy launched courses for youths across the nation on cyber security, programming, IoT and even entrepreneurship and building careers. The ChatGPT phenomenon, demonstrating the mass application of AI technology, has dominated the start of 2023 and is a good reminder of why these skills are crucial for everyone to keep pace with fast-evolving technology.
The FutureNation initiative led by UNDP and BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) aims to create one million economic opportunities through investing in youths. We are proud that Grameenphone has been an early partner of this alliance and is committed to empowering the youths of Bangladesh to be ready for the digital tomorrow.
There are, of course, many challenges to these ambitions, yet more can always be achieved with cooperation. Bringing together the strengths of the public and private sectors for projects like FutureNation has shown that a strong partnership creates a stronger impact.
Mobile connectivity is a critical part of daily life, which means we need to understand the gaps that still exist and work towards closing them. Partnerships across the digital ecosystem are critical to this. Strong collaboration between government and industry is required, along with an investment environment that promotes long-term predictability, and a regulatory framework that drives effective competition, innovation, and market growth.
I am also proud of the role Grameenphone plays in enabling the ambitions of millions across Bangladesh. As a local champion in its own right, Grameenphone continues to drive innovation and explore new opportunities that help people and businesses tap into the right skills, tools and knowledge they need, in line with Smart Bangladesh 2041.
At the same time, these are difficult and challenging times -- the war in Ukraine, soaring energy costs, global supply chain disruptions and extreme weather events are all having an impact.
I am a realist. We certainly cannot wish away these issues and insecurities. We must recognize the gravity and collective nature of these threats we face.
Yet, I remain optimistic and inspired by all that Bangladesh continues to achieve in its digital dream. Seeing young people achieve their goals through mobile technology gives me hope of what can be achieved in a better-connected world.
Jørgen C Arentz Rostrup is the Head of Telenor Asia.