The picturesque capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, held an assembly of the market leaders regarding GovTech and e-Governance on August 17-18, 2023. This assembly included representatives from the government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and our very own Dohatec New Media.
Mr. Karma Wangdi commenced the first day of this retreat, and then Mr. Nazmul Islam Bhuiyan discussed e-GP. He shared insights about this Dohatec project and discussed the benefits, including saving millions of dollars for the government and the potential to uplift Bangladesh’s stand against corruption. Then, Mr. Masudur Rahaman took over with his presentation on the Electronic Construction Permit System (ECPS), a service designed to streamline the process of acquiring construction permits for the citizens of Bangladesh. Then Mr. M A Rased joined him to present e-PMIS – Electronic Project Management Information System. Together, they discussed real-time project updates, the use of applications for capturing real-time images with geo-tagging capabilities, system integration and the status of non-eGP projects.
After a brief lunch break, Ms. Taslima Akter took the stage, discussing “Training and Operational Skilling of Government and Private Sector”. Her presentation focused on capacity-building for tailored software solutions catering to stakeholders’ diverse needs. The afternoon session continued with Mr. Imtiaz Zaman Nishith’s presentation, shedding light on “e-GP Bhutan.” He discussed the adoption of microservices and replacing an antiquated monolithic architecture in e-GP Bhutan. After Mr. Zaman, Mr. Aranya Biswas presented on “Public Procurement in Bhutan”, providing a deep analysis of procurement data within Bhutan’s e-Government Procurement (e-GP) system and its policy implications.
The program’s second day started later due to an important meeting with the Director General and Additional Director General. During this session, the Dohatec Team showcased their e-PMIS solution, attracting keen interest. Mrs. Sinha, Director General of the Department of Project Management and Monitoring, was introduced, promising future collaboration.
The audience’s patience was compensated in the venue with a captivating discussion on “GovTech,” covering a spectrum of topics, from revenue generation through taxation and non-taxation to the transformative impact of COVID-19 on government technology initiatives. The presentation stressed the need for e-procurement to combat corruption and the widening chasm between technology’s exponential growth and governance’s linear understanding.
The discussion then shifted to “Cryptocurrency”, addressing the recent market crash, the urgent need for regulatory frameworks, and the exciting future prospects of crypto, including DeFi (Decentralized Finance), DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), and Smart Contracts. Then, Mr. Nazmul continued the discourse with a presentation on “Blockchain in Government,” highlighting the utilization of smart contracts and the critical importance of in-depth research and analysis in this emerging field.
After a lunch break, the discussions resumed, focusing on “AI” (Artificial Intelligence) and exploring new technologies and models. The day continued addressing the challenges and risks of identifying individuals after their National ID exposure. Attendees brainstormed potential solutions and areas requiring further exploration.
Later that day, the discussion continued, focusing on Innovation. This included emphasizing creative thinking, leadership, and effective communication in fostering organizational innovation. Later, the talks moved on to “Digital Transformation” and “MarTech”, underscoring their relevance in the evolving technology and marketing landscapes. Then the focus shifted to “Engaged Centers of Operations,” with discussions centered on recruitment needs in Uzbekistan, swift engagement strategies in AI and Salesforce, and the motivation of highly talented team members. This session also highlighted the need for clear guidance and instructions for senior management. The meeting culminated with a forward-looking “e-GP Future Strategies” discussion session. These strategies encompassed plans to expand into new regions, promote e-GP solutions in various destinations, and engage in collaborative efforts with international partners.
The retreat also discussed the need for more recruits in Uzbekistan and the need to engage people ASAP in AI and Salesforce. There was also a need for guidance and instructions for senior management and the need to motivate highly talented team members. The meeting also discussed e-GP future strategies, including Sri Lanka’s interest in EPMIS, Dohatec’s plans to enter the Africa and Central Asia region, Mozambique’s happiness with the Dohatec team, the company’s plans to look into Saudi Arabia and Japan. It further included Dohatec’s plans to invite Sri Lanka to Bangladesh, and the organization plans to meet on e-GP in Georgia on October 15 and make promotional efforts in specific destinations.
Throughout the retreat, participants were reminded of the importance of adhering to a Code of Conduct and maintaining corporate behaviour, ensuring a productive and respectful exchange of ideas and information. The Colombo congregation served as a melting pot of innovation, where leaders explored the evolving landscape of technology and governance, inspiring participants to chart a course towards a brighter, more innovative future.