DHAKA: ‘Digital World 2014’, a four-day expo on information technology, began in the city on Wednesday to showcase potential and demonstrate development of ICT sector of Bangladesh. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the exposition at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the morning.

She said her government during 1996-2001 tenure worked to boost uses of information technology and formed special taskforce to work in this sector.

Hasina alleged former BNP government in 1991 missed the chance to get free connection of submarine cable network which had later very costlier.

But Awami League reduced mobile phone prices and call rates which is lower than Tk 1 currently, she added.

The premier told her government formed ICT policy, ICT Acts, Information Security Guild Line and Right to Information Act to ensure security and personal privacy in the ICT sector.

“In 2001, we had formed telecommunication regulatory act. Under the act we formed Bangladesh Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) which is working for the welfare of internet users. By dint of BTRC Bangladesh has become free from digital deprive condition,” she said.

The three times prime minister said at present around 11 crores subscriber identity module (SIM) cards are being using by five mobile operators. Third generation (3G) internet service has already been launched. In the very soon her government will introduce fourth generation (4G) networks.

The four-day expo has three parts, a software expo, showcase a mobile innovation an e-governance expo, organizers said. 

Some 30 seminars and 10 technical sessions will be held in the expo.

117 businesses are taking part in the soft expo and 40 in the mobile innovation expo.

The mega ICT exposition will be open to visitors without any entry fee from 10:00am to 8:00pm every day. 

BDST: 1235 HRS, JUN 04, 2014