Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar yesterday said Bangabandhu Satellite-1 was set to be sent into orbit by March 26 to 31 next. "The satellite awaits launching by March 26 to 31," he told a press conference to review of the performance of the ministry coinciding with the completion of the fourth year of the second consecutive term of the incumbent government.
Jabbar said the premier wants the day of the satellite launching to become a memorable one for the sake of the launching itself after the Independence Day celebrations.
ICT Division organised the press meet at Bangladesh Computer Council auditorium while State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak made a power-point presentation on the achievements of the sector in the last four years and highlight its planned initiatives.
"Our leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set December 16, 2021, as a deadline for establishing Digital Bangladesh. Our country will observe its golden jubilee of victory on that day," Jabbar said. He said the premier foresaw Bangladesh to be a member of the developed nations club 2041 which simultaneously meant "she wants to build a knowledge-based society by 2041".
"No leader before Sheikh Hasina had ever expressed his or her commitment to making their country digital. After her declaration, Great Britain made the declaration to build Digital Britain, India made a declaration to build Digital India," the minister said.
"Henry Kissinger of the United States once termed Bangladesh a bottomless bucket, while the President of that same US during his Kenya visit said Kenyans should follow Bangladesh," Jabbar said.
The newly appointed minister expressed his commitment to bring down the price of internet, providing speedier internet facility, turning different organisations like Postal Department, BTCL under his ministry profitable.
Source: BSS