'Bangladesh's telecommunication industry fifth-largest in Asia-Pacific'

The telecommunication industry of Bangladesh has become the fifth largest in the Asia-Pacific through the joint efforts of the public and the private sectors.

And 95% of Bangladeshis have access to the internet through the telecommunication network, which is helping cut the digital gap in the country.

Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar said this on Tuesday at the online event "GSMA Thrive Asia Pacific." 

To promote digital education in the country, many educational institutions are using mobile phone internet in their multimedia classrooms, he added.

The internet has also created big opportunities for women, lowering the gender gap. 

Many Bangladeshi female entrepreneurs are now operating their business on social media from the remote areas, Mustafa Jabbar said.

Digital Bangladesh or Vision 2021 is a promise to emerge as a dignified and developed country in the world by implementing eight interconnected goals.

The goals of Vision 2021 include wiping out inequality, alleviating poverty, establishing social justice through good governance and quality education using digital technology, the minister said.

"Access to Information (a2i) Programme of the Prime Minister's Office played a key role in implementing the goals."

The measures of Digital Bangladesh have helped increase economic inclusion and mobile financial services are fast becoming popular in the country, the minister said.