An Essay

On
The Role of TECHNOLOGY in the Economic Development of
Bangladesh















Submitted by:
Name: Tohura Moriom Misti;
4
th
year, Dept. of International Relations;
University of Dhaka.
E-mail: Misti.fd@gmail.com
Website: tohuramoriommisti.weebly.com





















Abstract

Technology is something that can bring the world in ones hand. On the other hand economical
development helps a country to advance their technology. So technology and economic
development both are interdependent. As Bangladesh was a newly independent country when the
whole world was busy with the technological development, it was natural for her to be in a
challenging situation to cope up with the world. For this reason after achieving independence
Bangladesh recognizes the necessity of high national priority to the scientific and technological
considerations on the whole development strategy of the country. My focus of this essay is to
investigate technological usages and advancement that influenced on the economic development
of Bangladesh. To reach my goal of this essay I tried to describe the technological usages and
technological progress of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is advancing its technology in different
sectors such as agriculture, industrial products, information and communication system, energy
resources, education, security, in point of fact in every segment of our daily life is now
functioning with the help of technology. As Bangladesh is an agricultural country its main focus
has been always on the agricultural development with new technology. Bangladesh has a huge
man power so the agricultural technologies always include the major participation of human
labor in growing agricultural products. But again in the agriculture, Bangladesh is now using
many technologies for fast growing of products. Industries are all about the use of technology.
Bangladeshs industrial products are now growing with the help of developed technology.
Education is supposed to play a vital role for the economic development of a nation. So
technology and skill development is very important for the economic development of a country.
Information and communication technology (ICT) is increasingly being recognized as a powerful
enabler for economic and social development. ICT can advance economic growth, enhance
social inclusion, increase health and education services and improve governance at all levels. So
improving information and communication technology is another important thing behind the
economic development of Bangladesh. Technological development for environment is very
important for the sustainable development. So Bangladesh is now very much aware about using
technology for environmental security. Another most important sector that needs to be under
technological support is the energy resources. Bangladesh has now many example of using
technology for the energy resources. In this essay I tried to embrace these important components
of technology which are developing the economy of Bangladesh. At the same time I also focused
on enlightening whether the advance technology is a blessing or a curse for the development of
the economy of Bangladesh as everything posses some good side and bad side. Similarly
technology has also blessing and curse towards the human life. I also tried to include the
challenges that are being faced by Bangladesh on the account of using technology for the
economic development. A poor economical country of 1971 has now become one of the most
important business areas. The per capita income of Bangladesh has increased from $478 in 1973
to $1700 in 2010. The total growth rate of Bangladesh is now 7%. With the help of technology
Bangladesh has now changed its image from a poor country and many developed countries are
now interested to involve in business and investment in Bangladesh. With the limitation of words
I tried to go through all these divisions under discussion to make it an ideal essay.




















1. Introduction:
Economic development process of the countries varies with their economy. But it is technology
that is equally important to every country for the economic development. Bangladesh as a
developing country is also trying to develop its economy through the use of technology. For the
economic development Bangladesh is using technology in almost every division such as
education, security, agriculture, industry, communication and also in our daily living
commodities. But poor management of technologies shield Bangladesh behind the advanced
technological countries as the whole world is now having a race of advance technology. On the
basis of this point I will explain the role of technology in the economic development of
Bangladesh.

2. Use of technology in Bangladesh:
Bangladesh is heavily dependent on imported technologies, so proper planning is required for its
effective transfer through acquisition, assimilation and adoption. Here I am going to elaborate
different sectors of the economy of Bangladesh which are under the use of technology:

i) Use of Technology in Agriculture:
The farmers of Bangladesh are now working with different technologies they are also accessing
internet to know about: the fertilizers, water pumps, tractors, harvest, and also about different
other ingredients of agricultural growth. They are now also using the fast transport system for the
promotion of their products that helps the economy. The technology of fertilizer deep placement
(FDP), systems for long-term food security, with a focus on increased crop yields, the water
management techniques such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), a water-saving technology
that lowland (paddy) rice farmers can apply to reduce water use in irrigated fields, the Expansion
of Urea Deep Placement Technology, introduce quality agro-inputs etc. are being using for the
agricultural productions.

ii) Use of Technology in Industry:
The industrial productions of Bangladesh are also developing through the easy access of internet
and transport system. With the help of foreign investors the industries are also using many
modern machines that increased the production which has been helping our economy a lot.
Shipbuilding, automobiles (assembly), insulators and sanitary wares, telephone equipment,
electrical goods, televisions, biochemical and mechanical technology etc. all these technologies
are playing remarkable role for the economic development of Bangladesh.

iii) Use of technology in Education:
Availability of information through newspapers, magazines, internet resources and other source
are playing vital role in education. Use of modern technologies like laboratories, scientific
equipments, research, machines, communication system etc. helps the students to generate their
knowledge that help the economic development in the long run. The Information
communication technology (ICT), a very fast growing new technological area, is entering fast in
education of Bangladesh.

iv) Information and Communication Technology:
Easy availability of cellular phone, lower cost of computers and other related technologies such
as television, radio, newspaper, etc. are now in everyones hand in Bangladesh. People are now
much familiar with the information and communication technology that is helping the economy
of Bangladesh to rise. All these technologies raise awareness and enlighten the knowledge about
the international market that helps the economy of Bangladesh to swell in International level.



v) Technologies for Environment:
Bangladesh is having environmental technological verification-support to Arsenic mitigation.
For cleaning up contaminated soil, creating additional nature or habitats is now been seen in
Bangladesh. River Dredging is now major concern of our country and foreign countries are
assisting Bangladesh to develop environmental technology.


vi) Technology for energy resource:
Bangladesh is now using solar energy to fulfill the demand of electricity. For example we can
see the process of using solar energy even in many houses:

Bangladesh has also signed an agreement to assist two nuclear reactors with Russias Atomic
Energy Corporation Rosatom. This is an excellent example of a country moving forward with
nuclear energy.
There is also huge number of examples of using modern technologies that plays a significant role
for the economic development of Bangladesh apart from these examples.

3. Role of these technologies in the economic development of Bangladesh:
Technology is now exercising in every sector of the economy. From pest-resistant crops to less
wasteful food processing; from prenatal care and child health to the prevention and treatment of
diseases; from reduction of environmental contaminants to purification of water; and from more
reliable electricity to more efficient and affordable communication and transportation systems
almost every area of Bangladesh are now under technological involvement. In this section I am
going to present the role of technology in the economic development of Bangladesh:

i) Technology is enhancing the ability of the student to invent new things. Technology also
helps them to reduce time and money. Technology helps them to be familiar with the
international education system.
ii) Technology for monitoring the environment serving the country from different types of
natural disasters. People are now much aware about the coming disasters and they can
take safe steps that reduce the expenses of the overall economy of the country.
iii) We can also see the use of technology to operate energy resources that helps to produce
more products within short time and it is very much important for the economy of the
country.
iv) The use of information and communication technology is now decreasing the time and
expenses of the businesses. It provides convenient situation to deal with the international
market. So it can be easily understood that information and communication technology is
assisting Bangladesh to expand the economy.
v) Technology in agricultural sector is helping Bangladesh for more yielding in every
season. It also helps to protect the crops from being wasted and also from the insects. So
it is definite that technology is developing the economy of Bangladesh as it is an
agricultural country.
vi) Industry is the backbone upon which the economy of any country prevails and
technology is the blood that gives a country the flow of economic development. Many
developed countries invest in our country and they made Bangladesh familiar with
different modern technology that has been helping the economy to increase rapidly.

So these are the most remarkable and common section of Bangladesh which has the access of
modern technology and that is very important for the economic development.

4. The challenges of using technology for the economic development of
Bangladesh:
Bangladesh as a developing country has to face different challenges while using technology for
the economic development. For example; corruption, inflation, poverty, inefficient government
bureaucracy, policy instability, inadequate supply of infrastructure, access to financing, tax
regulation, crime and theft, poor public health, poor work ethic in national labor force etc. are
some of the main challenges that are being faced by Bangladesh. Here I am going to elaborate
these challenges below:
i) The existing services and apparel only make up a small percentage of the economy.
Bangladesh cannot afford the high cost of finance and face limited access of long term
financial options for technology.
ii) Largely unskilled labors are unable to use the modern technologies and limited spending
on education has led to a decline in the quality of education.
iii) Political instability and safety risks are a barrier to allow the technological environment.
iv) Another major challenge of ensuring technology is the slow pace of reform due to
government bureaucracy and lack of alignment of policies at various levels of
government.
v) A high level of corruption, even within the judiciary, undermines investors confidence of
using technological equipments.

So these are some of the major problems that are being appeared in the use of technology for the
economic development of Bangladesh.

5. Negative Effects of Using Technology:
Technology brought us both blessings and curse. The first and foremost problem of using
technology is the decreasing number of engaging manpower in the industries that causes
unemployment as it made all the works easy, reduces the time and can produce huge high quality
products. The information technology causes different types of crime and these criminals are
most of the time remain out of reach. Technology in education misguided the students in
different filthy activities. Technologies in agriculture also encourage the people to use injurious
elements for rapid growth of foods and others. Different modern technologies are also creating
harmful effect over the environment. Technologies are influencing the people to misuse the
energy resources.

6. Possible Recommendations:
There are also many other negative effects that are causing through the technology. So the
government as well as the common people should be much aware about the access of
technology. Some strict rules and laws should be made about the use of technology. A National
Science and Technology Policy has recently been formulated and adopted by the Government.
Proper monitoring system should be developed to ensure the safety of using technologies.
Regular follow up of news about the harmful effects of technology should also be ensured by the
government. In addition complete awareness of the whole society is required to reduce the
negative effects of technology.

7. Conclusion:
Technology brought Bangladesh towards a new floor with lots of blessings. At the same time it
also brought some curse for the society and people of Bangladesh. But in total technology is very
much important for the economic development of the country. The role of technology in the
economic development of Bangladesh is like a guardian angel.