Blockchain brings a shift in education, health 

Blockchain technology has brought changes in financing, banking, supply system, e-governance and business across the world, said State-minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak. 

"We have developed strong digital infrastructure in the last 12 years. And for this we have been able to continue education and business in the pandemic though all institutions have remained closed," said Palak as the chief guest at the award giving ceremony of Blockchain Olympiad Bangladesh 2021. 

The programme was jointly organised by Blockchain Olympiad Bangladesh, ICT Division and Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) in the Computer Council Auditorium at Agargaon in the capital.

Palak said the offices had been closed but work continued through E-Nathi platform or E-file Management System. "We are getting telemedicine facility during the pandemic when hospitals are busy with Covid patients. And using the blockchain technology, we will be able to secure all the data and services." 

Once technology used to be imported, but now Bangladesh has created opportunities for innovations, the state minister said, adding, "We will become an innovative nation by 2041." 

Congratulating the winners, he said blockchain technology would be helpful for internet-based education, health, prosecution system and for businesses.

A blockchain is essentially a digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across the entire network of computer systems on the blockchain.

Palak said blockchain had a huge demand in different sectors. The international market size of blockchain is $300 billion which will cross trillion dollars in future, he said. 

At present, Bangladesh's earning from software and hardware exports is $1 billion dollar. "Our target is to increase it to $5 billion by 2025."

For the development of startups, the prime minister established Startups Bangladesh Ltd Company that has started making investments and targets to invest at least Tk100 crore in 50 startups.

Among others, ICT Division Senior Secretary NM Ziaul Alam and Partha Pratim Deb, executive director of BCC, spoke at the programme.

This year, Blockchain Olympiad Bangladesh was organised for the second time. Ten teams have won the competition among 256 participants. 

The winners will be able to participate in International Blockchain Olympiad 2021 to be held on 8-10 October.