No citizen will be left behind in digital services: Finance Minister

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury directed authorities to ensure that every citizen—regardless of profession or location—is brought under the country's expanding digital service network, saying no one should be excluded from the benefits of digital transformation.

Speaking as the chief guest at the 'Innovation Showcasing 2025-26' programme organised by the Financial Institutions Division at the Finance Division's Multipurpose Hall in the Secretariat on Monday (July 6), the minister said Bangladesh could no longer afford delays in digital transformation.

"We must accelerate digitalisation across all sectors so that every citizen can benefit from digital services," he said, adding that the government's inclusive approach to budgeting should be reflected equally in the delivery of digital public services.

Amir Khosru said digitalisation should go beyond financial inclusion by ensuring government and financial services are accessible to people at their doorsteps through technology, enabling broader participation in the country's economic, social and political activities.

Highlighting international best practices, he said a high-level Bangladeshi delegation—including the ICT adviser, the governor of Bangladesh Bank and other senior officials—is currently visiting Estonia to study the country's globally recognised digital governance model.

"We want to learn from Estonia's experience and accelerate Bangladesh's own digital transformation," he said.

The finance minister also urged banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions to expand digital services more aggressively, noting that many customers still hesitate to use online platforms. He suggested launching awareness campaigns and, if necessary, assigning dedicated officials to educate customers about the benefits of digital services.

He said wider adoption of digital services would reduce unnecessary visits to government offices and financial institutions, saving time, costs and fuel while boosting overall productivity. Full digitalisation would also help improve transparency and curb irregularities in sectors such as insurance claims and the capital market.