DHAKA: Google Street View, a free mapping service of Google with panoramic views of streets and sites, has officially been launched in Bangladesh.

Google officially started its Google Street View service in Bangladesh as the 65th country in the world.

The streets and sites of the country are now open to anyone to roam around virtually. The street views are available to Android, Windows, IBM or Mac digital device users.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated the street views of Google map at a program at a city hotel on Thursday.

The minister said that Bangladesh is the 65th country in the world that gets the facilities from Google. Every sector of the country, including tourism and business will be benefited with the blessings of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), he added.

Appreciating the initiative, Obaidul Quader highlighted the incumbent government’s support in ICT sector for the development of Bangladesh.

Civil Aviation and Tourism secretary Khorshed Alam at the program said that this street view service will play a vital role in the country’s tourism sector.

Dhaka capital city, Chittagong port city and Dhaka-Chittagong highway have so far been included under this service. But it will gradually cover the historical places, divisions and the districts, he added.

Google Asia Pacific Public Policy Director Ann Lavin said that Google Street View allows people to virtually explore and navigate a neighborhood through panoramic street-level images.

The city streets and historical places will also be visual to bring the best possible views to all, he added.

Government-sponsored Access to Information (a2i) Project Director Kabir Bin Anowar said that this is an effective initiative. Anyone from home and abroad now can know about the map and culture of the country.

Moreover, the systems of street view were presented in the program.

BDST: 1725 HRS, FEB 05, 2015