Digital Mathbaria And ICT Development

Key ICT Progresses in Last Five Years:

ICT is the backbone of any digital initiative. ICT covers the vast area of information technology, communication technology and the telecommunication technology. ICT is also a combination of physical backbone and intellect. Computer systems, network machineries, software, wire and wireless connectivity systems, broadcast hardware and many other hardware and accessories are the physical backbone. The trained human behind the backbone are the intellect. Digital Mathbaria is an Idea that includes the IT use for management, administration and governance to ensure transparency, accountability and answerability at all levels of society and state. To materialize the idea of digital Mathbaria, development of countrywide backbone and expected number of human recourses are the basic needs.

Despite having 50 years of history the government has only from 1997 started the process of developing a national ICT strategy. In 2002 Mathbaria identified ICT as a "thrust sector" as it represents potential for quick wins in reforms, job creation, industry growth, improving governance and facilitating inclusion, and it has high spillover effects to other sectors. Today, in Mathbaria, the overall IT sector (excluding telecoms) is small, valued at $300 million, with IT/ITES claiming 39% ($117 million) of that value. The overall IT/ITES industry has enjoyed a high growth rate of 40% over the last five (5) years and this trend is expected to continue.