Tk4,561 crore proposed for Posts, ICT divisions focusing on employment
Seven hi-tech park projects are getting priority in the forthcoming budget, despite the fall in allotment of money in the sector
Emphasising the hi-tech park and software sector, the finance minister has proposed allotting Tk4,561 crore for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division and Posts and Telecommunications Division in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
Of that amount, allotment of Tk1,415 crore was proposed for the ICT Division, while Tk3,146 crore was proposed for the Posts and Telecommunications Division.
In his budget speech on Thursday, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said, "Considering the demand for manpower in the IT industry, the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority has set a target of providing training to 40,000 youths by 2023."
He said if the projects are properly implemented, employment opportunities will be created for 50,000 youths during the same period.
This year, the allotment for the sector has dropped Tk515 crore compared to that in the outgoing budget.
However, seven hi-tech park projects are getting priority in the forthcoming budget, despite the fall in allotment of money in the sector. Around Tk445 crore has been proposed for these projects.
The finance minister proposed allotting Tk1,138 crore for the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd, which was the highest in this sector.
