POBNEWS24, Dhaka June 6, 2024 : Finance Minister A H Mahmood Ali has
announced that the vision of ‘Smart Bangladesh’ will be realised through the
integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
“Under Smart Bangladesh, the country’s per capita income would reach at least
US$12,500, with less than three percent of the population living below the
poverty line, and extreme poverty eradicated,” he said while placing around
Taka 7.97 lakh crore national budget for FY25 at Jatiya Sangsad here this
afternoon.
In his budget speech, Ali laid emphasis on four key pillars– Smart Citizens,
Smart Economy, Smart Government and Smart Society. He said inflation will be
contained between 4-5 percent, and the budget deficit will remain below five
percent of Gross domestic product (GDP) .
The revenue-GDP ratio is expected to exceed 20 percent and investment will
make up 40 percent of GDP, he added.
The vision also includes achieving 100 percent digital economy and literacy
based on science and technology, he mentioned.
He said: “Healthcare will be accessible to all, and essential services will
be delivered directly to citizens’ doorsteps, including automated
communication systems and sustainable urbanisation.”
He highlighted the creation of a paperless and cashless society, aiming for
ensuring a just and equal community. “Most importantly, we will establish a
society based on justice and equality in Smart Bangladesh. The people of
Bangladesh are intelligent, creative, and hardworking,” he added.
The finance minister expressed confidence in enhancing the innovative
capacity and creativity of the population through the proper use of
technology.
To this end, he detailed that short, medium, and long-term goals and action
plans are being carefully formulated to build a discrimination-free,
developed and smart Bangladesh.
