DHAKA: Bangladesh makes a big stride in digitizing in October when the government is going to introduce digital sign in online information exchange, financial transactions and e-tender.

“Important government information will be exchanged using the digital sign from October,” Mahfuzur Rahman, Controller of Certifying Authority (CCA) chief and additional secretary of the government, told banglanews24.com.bd Saturday.

The certifying authority will provide the digital certificate that will ensure the signature and the identity of the person concerned. “Tender has been floated to appoint the certifying authority and we hope to complete the appointment by August,” Rahman said.

Once the digital signing system is introduced, paper files in government offices will be replaced with e-files. Government bodies will be able to introduce e-tendering procedure, which will eliminate chronic troubles associated with tender process.  

Rahman, also the executive director of Bangladesh Computer Council, said once the digital sign is introduced, exchange of government files, different kinds of financial transaction as well as exchange of documents between public and private entities will be safe, easy and faster.

The digital sign will identify the people involved in online communications and trading. “This is fully safe. You may imitate the signature on paper, but you can’t do it if it is digital.”

Once the digital sign is introduced, the LGED, Housing and Public Works, and Roads and Highways departments and Water Development Board will initially introduce e-tendering system in October, Rahman said.

The Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet Division will have direct contact with Deputy Commissioners for online information sharing.

Experts believe e-commerce will get a boost once the digital sign is in place enhancing online trading.

“Anyone from a remote village may contact an official in the capital. This will also help inter-ministerial information sharing smooth,” Prof Zahidur Rahman of Jahangirnagar University’s Computer Science Department said.

Access to Information Project under the Prime Minister’s Office is providing technical support for the move.

BDST: 2130, JULY 24, 2010.