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The a2i Programme has succeeded at the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) awards for the 7th consecutive time as two of its projects were declared champions in two different categories.
E-Commerce initiative ‘EkShop’ (ekshop.gov.bd) claimed the champion prize in the ‘e-Business’ category and ‘Collective Intelligence Platform for Skills, Employment and Entrepreneurship’ (skills.gov.bd) was declared champion in the ‘e-Employment’ category.
The names of the final winners were announced at the end of the selection process and online voting process after applications were received from hundreds of countries around the world. Applications were accepted in 18 categories, with 354 of 762 applications receiving nominations. Of the nominated submissions, 18 were declared as Winners and 72 as Champions. Two projects from Bangladesh became Champions while one earned the Winner prize.
This year, the prize distribution and closing ceremony could not be hosted physically due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, winning projects were announced virtually and representatives of the winning projects attended the virtual session Thursday.
Dr. Abdul Mannan PAA, Project Director (Additional Secretary) of a2i and Rezwanul Haque Jami, Team Lead – Rural e-Commerce of a2i represented a2i in the event.
a2i’s Project Director Dr. Abdul Mannan PAA said, “It’s an honor for us to win the WSIS award for 7 consecutive years. During this pandemic, the a2i Programme of the Government of Bangladesh has introduced virtual classes on technical and vocational subjects for youth to obtain skills and to fulfill our Honorable Prime Minister’s dream of Digital Bangladesh.”
Team Lead of Rural e-Commerce Rezwanul Haque Jami expressed his delight at EkShop becoming a champion and described how it transformed the lives of rural entrepreneurs. “EkShop is the sole distributor of essential items to the remote rural areas of Bangladesh. The rural population seldom gets access to digital markets. EkShop has ensured such items reach their doorstep,” he remarked.
An initiative of the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme of the ICT Division and Cabinet Division, supported by UNDP, ‘EkShop’, the first assisted rural e-Commerce platform of Bangladesh, brings daily necessities to the doorsteps of citizens in an easy and quick manner.