The Indomitable Journey towards Smart Bangladesh by 2041

Significant success has been achieved in the power and energy sectors. The production of 5623 MW in 2010 has increased to 16,981 MW in 2020. The demand for electricity and fuel will continue to increase in the coming days. In 2041, the demand for electricity in Bangladesh will be 51,000 MW.Bangladesh will be able to generate 56,634 MW of electricity that year as per the target entitled Sustainable Power and Energy for a High-Income Country. At this time, nuclear technology will be added to the power sector. In 2041, the fuel format will be 35 percent gas, 35 percent coal, 12 percent nuclear, 1 percent liquid oil and 1 percent water. The remaining 18 percent must be imported.

At the 29th General Assembly of the United Nations in 1974, the Father of the Nation spoke of the "extraordinary achievements of science and technology." 'Digital Bangladesh' has been achieved through the hands of the Prime Minister. Following this, a plan has been taken to create an innovative economy for Bangladesh by nurturing ICT and scientific research by 2041. It has been promised to increase the current ‘Citizen ICT Accessibility’ score from 35.6 to 65 by 2041 to become the 20th in the world.

Connection ofMetrorail in an urban communication system, upgrading the current average speed of highway corridor from 25-30 km / h to 60-100 km / h, upgrading of all railway lines to broad gauge system and installation of modern traffic signals, ship's 'anchor day' and Steps will be taken for the next two decades to improve navigability through development, dredging, river management and dam construction, installation of additional runways and taxiways at airports and periodic collection of tolls from highway users.

Urbanization and development are very deeply and positively related. Due to high economic density, urban areas are the driving force of growth. Like developed countries, in 2041, 80 percent of the total population of Bangladesh will live in cities. Preparations for this are described entitled Measures of Urban Variability in a High-Income Economy. The government has taken a plan to expand all the facilities of the city to the rural areas under the policy 'My Village My Town'. Instead of Dhaka-centric urbanization, emphasis has been laid on the balanced development of many urban centers. The public-private investment will be increased for the development of air quality, public transport, traffic, sewerage and the drainage system of the city.

Ensuring Sustainable Environmental Development and Building a Climate-Sustainable Nation and Unleashing the Possibilities of a Green Economy in a Dynamic Vibrant Delta, sets out on climate adaptation efforts. Tidal fluctuations, salinity, floods, river erosion and tidal surges are regular features of Bangladesh, which hinder development. Under the Delta Plan 2100, the current plan focuses on the extraction of Blue economic resources (fisheries, seaweed, mineral resources).

The Government's development vision, objectives and goals for achieving a prosperous Bangladesh by 2041 and a roadmap for its implementation. Following the path of this pathdesign, the Golden Bengal of Dreams of the Father of the Nation will be achieved in 2041.

We are currently witnessing an incredible systematic fundamental change (paradigm shift). This change is taking place along the path of the digital transformation of the conventional system. With the advent of sophisticated technology, digital transformation is taking place at a rapid pace. In the fourth industrial revolution, you can see that it is being printed from your 3D printer and brought to the fore. While there will be challenges to this fundamental change in the system, it will not necessarily pose a threat to those countries that will use state-of-the-art technology and improve efficiency in digital transformation.

Who will implement well-planned activities, policies and strategies to harness the unprecedented opportunities and economic potential created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution? In this case, our positive side is the success in building a digital Bangladesh, the main motivation of the most inspiring 'Vision 2021' in the political history of the country. Digital Bangladesh is providing strength, courage and motivation to meet the challenges and exploit the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. So it appears that advanced or sophisticated technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, have already begun to contribute to the rapid development of the economy.

The ambitious 'Smart Bangladesh 2041' concept has been formulated with an emphasis on its extensive use.How will the smart Bangladesh of 2041? Critics might say the plan is too ambitious. Whether in personal life or the management of the state; If there is no ambition to achieve any goal, it will be floating in the river like a boat without a sailor. The implementation of such an ambitious modern program will be 'impossible' or 'difficult' after the announcement of Digital Bangladesh 14 years ago; Many such words were heard. Criticism of Digital Bangladesh was also strong from the ruling party's political opponents. But overcoming all criticism, Digital Bangladesh is now a reality. One thing has come to the fore from this success. No matter how ambitious the program taken for the welfare of the country and the people; A good dividend can be obtained if the goal is set and the implementation is sincere.

In implementing Digital Bangladesh, we have got a new sector called Digital Economy. We have witnessed the launch of the Bangabandhu satellite in space. The implementation of the 'Smart Bangladesh 2041' vision may see another sector called the space economy. Home-made satellites are being sent into space. With such ambition, Smart Bangladesh 2041 is not just a vision; The previously announced 'Vision 2041' also emphasizes building a space economy. The plan to build a space economy has to be applauded for two reasons. First, given the current global realities, Bangladesh will have to launch more different types of satellites into space for space research and expansion of the economy and information technology. Second, investing in satellites is profitable. According to a UK study entitled 'Satellite Communications: Impact on Developing Economies', it is possible to earn 45 at the expense of 1 from the state treasury.

The analysis shows that the 'Smart Bangladesh 2041' has been formulated to accelerate the achievement of the 'Vision 2041'. There are two main objectives based onVision 2041. First, by 2041, Bangladesh will be a developed country, with a per capita income of 12,500 at current prices, which would be consistent with the digital world. Second, Bangladesh will be a golden Bengal, where poverty will be a thing of the distant past. The state-of-the-art technology is being utilized in the form of 'Smart Bangladesh 2041' to assist in achieving this goal of the perspective plan. This is because the use of sophisticated technology in the fourth industrial revolution will lead to faster economic development in the world than in the previous three industrial revolutions. The government wants to ensure that the contribution of the ICT sector to the national economic growth is more than 20 percent by 2041 by making extensive use of these technologies.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), energy, transportation, health, communications and digital production - are the five main areas that will be managed efficiently. Notably, in the concept of 'Smart Bangladesh 2041', it has been proposed to manage more areas efficiently. Under it, sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, trade, transport, environment, energy and resources, infrastructure, trade, governance, financial transactions, supply chain, security, entrepreneurship, and community will be driven by technology and each sector will be smart. Such as smart agriculture, smart education etc.

Three important aspects of the Smart Bangladesh vision- are a knowledge-based economy, an innovative nation and building an inclusive digital society. There are proposals for its deliberate implementation. The construction of the national knowledge shuffle required for the technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution; Building infrastructure for conducting knowledge-based activities; Establishment of international startup mentors and business coaches at the local level and the establishment of an Alternative School for Startup Educators of Tomorrow and Center for Learning Innovation and Creation of Knowledge.

In building an innovative nation, emphasis has been placed on capacity building, quality innovation and control. It is proposed to set up Self Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (SED) and Content Engineering and Linkage Lab (Cell) as new initiatives to create entrepreneurs. In building an inclusive digital society, emphasis has been placed on ensuring the inclusion and empowerment of people from all walks of life. The ICT department has already taken various initiatives to implement the Smart Bangladesh vision.

One of these is the establishment of the Center for Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digital Leadership Academy under the BCC's Enhancing Digital Government and Economy project and the creation of skilled human resources for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The question is, will building a smart Bangladesh be successful at all? Presumably, the more we talk about smart Bangladesh; Such a question will arise in many. But we don't think there is any reason to be pessimistic about it.Bangladesh has stepped into the digital era this year and is poised for LDC graduation by 2026 and planning to achieve the SDGs by 2030. However, the country's ultimate mission is to become a poverty-free, equitable, high-income country by 2041.


Hiren Pandit is a researcher
and a columnist.