Staff Reporter:
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday said robust internet connectivity, a “one citizen-one wallet” system and the integration of the rural economy into the digital system are essential for sustainable development and for bringing marginalized people into the econom-ic mainstream.
“Digital inclusion and financial inclusion complement each other. Robust digital infrastructure and effective implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) can help ensure sustainable develop-ment,” he said.
The Finance Minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a group dialogue titled “Financial Inclusion 2.0”, organized by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) at a hotel in the capital, said a Finance Ministry press release.
He said uninterrupted and high-speed internet connectivity is essential to ensure the overall momentum of the digital economy.
“Without strong internet infrastructure, it is not possible to fully realize the benefits of digital finance,” he said.
The minister said the government is taking steps to identify marginalized producers and artisans under the “One Village, One Product” program and bring them under digital payment and bank-ing services.
He said affordable smart phones are now being produced in the country, with devices available at prices ranging from Tk 4,000 to Tk 5,000, creating greater opportunities for farmers and or-dinary people to use technology.
Farmers can now access information on weather, fertilizer requirements and market prices more easily through digital technology, he added.
He said the introduction of banking services for Family Cards, Farmer Cards and allowances for imams and priests is also automatically contributing to financial inclusion.
The finance minister stressed the need to ensure cyber security and appropriate policy safe-guards or “guardrails” so that innovation does not stagnate amid rapid technological changes.
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman moderated the dialogue, which was attended by heads of various banks, insurance companies and financial institutions.
