The government has decided to allow private companies to bid for the installation of a submarine telecommunication cable. This is a step in the right direction to improve internet connectivity, and a boost to the ICT-based industries in Bangladesh.
Currently, only one submarine cable run by the government connects the country to the rest of the world. This leaves private users and businesses vulnerable to disruptions in case of natural disasters or even routine maintenance work.
It appears that the telecommunication ministry has taken note of the gravity of the situation and has decided to not only acquire a second government-run cable line but also to acquire a third line which will be run by a private company.
This is a good example of the government drawing on the resources of the private sector to improve service delivery.
The private sector can play a vital role in improving the delivery of services in countries such as ours, where government-run services often suffer from mismanagement and inefficiency.
The innovative potential offered by the private sector can transform service delivery to be more effective and cost-effective in a wide range of areas beyond telecommunication.
This will also boost the growth of the private sector, which will lead to creation of jobs and growth in the overall economy.
We hope that the government will be open to more partnerships with the private sector in a wide range of areas to improve the quality of service delivery in Bangladesh.
