Digital centres create entrepreneurs in rural Bangladesh
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
August 15, 2022

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2022
Digital centres create entrepreneurs in rural Bangladesh

Economy

TBS Report
22 November, 2021, 10:30 am
Last modified: 22 November, 2021, 01:50 pm

Related News

  • Govt to shut six e-commerce websites over MLM operations
  • Alesha Mart victims demand money back
  • CEO of e-commerce site Jeka Bazar arrested for embezzling Tk60cr
  • e-commerce firms must apply for digital business ID in 90 days
  • “Digital Business ID should be equivalent to trade licence for loans to e-commerce”

Digital centres create entrepreneurs in rural Bangladesh

15,000 entrepreneurs provide over 300 services from 8,280 digital centres

TBS Report
22 November, 2021, 10:30 am
Last modified: 22 November, 2021, 01:50 pm
Aiming to have government services reach people’s doorsteps easily, fast and at low cost, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Union Information and Service Centres in 4,501 unions across the country on 11 November 2010 Photo: Collected
Aiming to have government services reach people’s doorsteps easily, fast and at low cost, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Union Information and Service Centres in 4,501 unions across the country on 11 November 2010 Photo: Collected

Highlights: 

  • The government has set up 8,280 digital centres across the country under the a2i programme 
  • Around 15,000 entrepreneurs are providing more than 300 public and private services, including banking and e-commerce ones from the centres
  • Till 2021, the entrepreneurs have provided 60.50 crore services from the digital centres

Mohammad Al-Amin earns Tk10,000-12,000 per month working as a freelancer at Harian Union Digital Centre in Paba Upazila, Rajshahi.  

The digital centre has been set up at the office of the union parishad chairman.  

The government has so far set up 8,280 digital centres across the country under the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) programme of the ICT Division.

Around 15,000 entrepreneurs are providing more than 300 public and private services, including banking and e-commerce ones.

Till 2021, the entrepreneurs have provided 60.50 crore services from the digital centres.

"I am in the third year of honours. In addition to studying, I work in the digital centre. I earn a good amount from here," said Mohammed al-Amin.

"Here I work independently. The more I work, the more my income increases. Through this, it is possible to earn up to Tk2 lakh per month. Again, I do not have to pay any fee to the chairman's office from my income."

He mentions birth registration as the main service in the union.

"Many also apply for visas to go abroad," said Mohammed al-Amin.

"There is a fee of Tk20-50 for each job. The fee for different services is set by the government. So there is no opportunity to charge more."  

"The government services can be provided easily from our digital centre. Those who are working here work as entrepreneurs," said Mofidul Islam Bachchu, chairman of Harian Union Parishad.

"In our union old age allowance, widow allowance, maternity allowance, disability allowance are given. Earlier, money was distributed from the chairman's office. There was a lot of harassment. But now applications are received online and money goes through mobile banking. So no one else needs to come here."

However, members at the union council said although activities are done online, they frequently face internet disruptions. So in order to make this service more popular, the internet speed has to be improved.

Meanwhile, the people in Paba Upazila have benefited the most from the complete online based activities at the land office. Now land mutation is done easily online by spending only Tk1,170. Currently, e-mutation service is provided from 512 upazila and circle offices.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) at Paba Upazila Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said people had to go through a lot of harassment for land mutation. Work could not be done even with paying money in different places. Now, these problems are no more.

Mainly birth and death registration, national identity card, passport, hajj registration, telemedicine, life insurance, overseas job application, agent banking, mobile banking, bus-air-launch ticketing, medical visa and doctor's appointment services are provided from the digital centres.

At the centres, people also receive services on mobile recharge, symbol sales, different types of computer and technical training, e-mail, compose-print-training, photography, photocopying, downloading government forms, knowing exam results, applying for university admission, applying for an online visa, agricultural advice, and information.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said there would be no difference between urban and rural people in providing government services and everyone will get equal service.

"At the union level, digital centre activities are being conducted as the internet can be provided at affordable prices. Our goal is to deliver government services digitally to people across the country," he said.

"Earlier, bribery was rampant in issuing mutation of land. Even after paying money, people would not get their work done timely. Now that it is online, bribery has decreased."

Top News

Union Digital Centres (UDC) / Digital centres / ICT / Aspire to Innovate (a2i) / a2i / a2i Programme / e-commerce

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Bangladesh may get annual fixed quota for food imports from India
    Bangladesh may get annual fixed quota for food imports from India
  • Illustration: TBS
    His presence felt everywhere
  • Photo: TBS
    Chawkbazar plastic factory fire bought under control

MOST VIEWED

  • Anwar Group looks beyond slowdown – invests Tk5,000cr
    Anwar Group looks beyond slowdown – invests Tk5,000cr
  • TBS file photo
    Now 99% Bangladesh products come under China’s duty-free offer
  • Photo: Noor-A-Alam
    Dollar climbs to record Tk119 in kerb market
  • Dollar price drops by Tk8 in kerb market
    Dollar price drops by Tk8 in kerb market
  • Photo: TBS
    Govt fixes area-wise staggered holidays for factories
  • Representational image. Picture: Collected
    Gold prices soar by Tk1,954 per bhori

Related News

  • Govt to shut six e-commerce websites over MLM operations
  • Alesha Mart victims demand money back
  • CEO of e-commerce site Jeka Bazar arrested for embezzling Tk60cr
  • e-commerce firms must apply for digital business ID in 90 days
  • “Digital Business ID should be equivalent to trade licence for loans to e-commerce”

Features

The macabre multicide: How we failed our supreme leader

The macabre multicide: How we failed our supreme leader

2h | Supplement
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with his eldest daughter Sheikh Hasina and his grandson Sajeeb Wazed at his Dhanmondi residence. Photo: Achieve

The darkest night of 15 August

4h | Supplement
As long as the Padma and the Meghna will flow…

As long as the Padma and the Meghna will flow…

5h | Supplement
Baah: A sustainable way to upgrade your home

Baah: A sustainable way to upgrade your home

6h | Brands

More Videos from TBS

Forest Department takes initiative to protect wildlife in Purbachal

Forest Department takes initiative to protect wildlife in Purbachal

5h | Videos
Bangabandhu's humane values

Bangabandhu's humane values

5h | Videos
Why trolling happens on personal matter

Why trolling happens on personal matter

5h | Videos
House that reveals story of Bangladesh

House that reveals story of Bangladesh

5h | Videos

Most Read

1
Dollar crisis: BB orders removal of 6 banks’ treasury chiefs 
Banking

Dollar crisis: BB orders removal of 6 banks’ treasury chiefs 

2
From left Afzal Karim, Murshedul Kabir and Mohammad Jahangir
Banking

Sonali, Agrani and Rupali banks get new MDs

3
Photo: Collected
Transport

Will Tokyo’s traffic model solve Dhaka’s gridlocks?

4
Representational Image. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

Air passengers should plan extra commute time to airport: DMP

5
Arrest warrant against Habib Group chairman, 4 others 
Crime

Arrest warrant against Habib Group chairman, 4 others 

6
Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard. Photo: Courtesy
Bangladesh

Bangladesh never asked for particular info from Swiss bank: Ambassador

EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2022
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net