“Citizens’ and government information can be securely stored within the country’s borders, which is crucial for the independence and sovereignty of data,” said Palak, the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.
With the assistance of the U.S.-based technology company Oracle, the country’s government cloud service, “Bangladesh Government Cloud,” has been formally launched.
The event took place at a hotel in the capital on Monday.
Speaking there, the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Junaid Ahmed Palak, said, “We have established all the services, opportunities, and security of Oracle Cloud in our country and set up our own data centers. Today marks the formal inauguration of it as ‘Bangladesh Government Cloud.'”
“We have procured Oracle’s technology, security, and support. We are storing the data and services of various ministries of the government’s 14 ministries here and delivering them from here. The capabilities we have developed will host everything from our digital documents to other services needed in the future,” he added.
Palak stated, “Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy envisioned a significant increase in data in Bangladesh and a substantial increase in services. It became imperative to store and secure that data. Based on that consideration, we have formed a company called Bangladesh Data Center Limited. It is here to manage our income and expenses and to ensure that the investments we make can be returned to the government.”
“We see many of the government ministries and organizations adopting Oracle Cloud services. Where their data is stored, whether it’s in Singapore or elsewhere outside the country, they are now delivering services from there. We’ve had several discussions with Oracle about whether it’s possible for Oracle Cloud to be hosted on-premises and if the dedicated region can be hosted from Bangladesh. After three years of discussions, we have arrived at this point today,” he explained.
“Our data center now has 50 racks, with 60 young men and women working there. Our engineers are being assisted by a team from Oracle to set up and operate this,” he added.
“In the next phase, we will try to assist the 56 ministries that are planning to establish various data centers and the ministries outside the country that need to store their data – all their data and systems can be securely stored in our cloud,” he said.
At the event, Salman F Rahman, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Private Industry and Investment, said, “Through the establishment of the government’s comprehensive cloud, a significant area of public-private partnership (PPP) has been created. We hope that the use of this cloud will bring about significant changes in the provision of government services, which will assist in the country’s digital future.”
Peter D. Haas, the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, said, “When a competitive environment is established, U.S. companies will play a significant role in Bangladesh’s digital transformation due to their high-quality technological expertise. The need for a cloud-first policy for efficiency, accountability, and cost savings is becoming increasingly important for governments.”
Gareth Ellegard, Vice President of Japan and Asia Pacific at Oracle, said, “As a safe way to increase efficiency, accountability, and cost savings, the cloud-first policy is becoming increasingly important to governments. Oracle’s dedicated region in Bangladesh provides a complete cloud solution for the country’s government, assisting it in its safe journey to digital transformation.”
Shamsul Arefin, Chairman of Bangladesh Data Center Company, said, “To ensure a safe transition to cloud-based transformation, the government organizations will be assisted by Oracle’s medium through the Government Cloud of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.”
Ruba Daula, MD of Oracle Bangladesh, welcomed everyone to the event with her remarks.
