‘Fourth industrial revolution to be software-based’

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu has said the fourth industrial revolution will be a software-based strong revolution as almost all countries in the world are banking on modern technology and renewable energy in the field of production for reaping benefits from the third industrial revolution.

"In future, most of the transactions will be under Mobile Financial Service (MFS) or other digital devices. So, even we don't want, we can't stop the tide of MFS," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion at the National Press Club in the capital on Thursday.

Bangladesh Journalists' Foundation for Consumers and Investors (BJFCI) organised the discussion on "MFS Revolution and Consumer Rights Protection: Are we heading in the right direction?" marking the World Consumer Rights Day-2018, reports BSS.

Media Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury was present as the special guest.

Amu said the government is working to ensure e-service in all sectors, including industry, trade and commerce, economy, banking, transaction, health, agriculture and education, for making Bangladesh a middle-income digital nation by 2021.

Noting that the government has established information centre at union level for bringing the grassroots people under e-service, he said: "Once, some people used to criticise the notion of digital Bangladesh, but now it is a reality." He said uses of the information technology are now visible, adding "everybody knows about e-learning, e-commerce, e-trade, e-tendering and e-book."

He said the government is also working for protecting consumer rights through ensuring quality products.

"We have already formulated the 'Consumer Rights Protection Act' for ensuring quality foods for all," he mentioned. BJFCI Chairman Faruk Ahmed delivered a key note presentation while its Secretary General M Enamul Haque was in the chair.

Bangladesh Bank General Manager Dr Lila Rashid, Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer of bKash Limited Major General (rtd) Sheikh M Monirul Islam, and Chief Executive Officer of SureCash Shahadat Khan were also present and spoke.