The World Bank on Sunday launched a $250 million project to help Bangladesh modernise key public institutions through digital reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and the efficiency of government services.
The Strengthening Institutions for Transparency and Accountability (SITA) project, approved by the World Bank on June 12, will support wide-ranging reforms in public financial management, tax administration, public procurement, statistics and auditing by introducing advanced digital systems and strengthening institutional capacity.
Five government agencies—the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Planning Division, the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG)—will implement the programme.
According to the World Bank, strengthening the performance of these institutions is critical to sustaining Bangladesh’s economic growth, attracting investment, creating jobs and achieving its long-term development goals.
Under the project, the BBS will establish an integrated national data ecosystem to improve the quality, accessibility and use of official statistics, enabling policymakers to make more informed decisions.
The NBR will use the financing to modernise tax administration by expanding automation, introducing e-invoicing and integrating digital platforms to improve tax compliance and boost domestic revenue mobilisation.
The Planning Division will receive support to strengthen public investment management through digital platforms, artificial intelligence-based analytical tools and real-time monitoring systems to improve project planning and implementation.
The project will also enhance the country’s electronic government procurement system by equipping the BPPA with advanced digital features to improve transparency, efficiency and value for public spending.
Meanwhile, the OCAG will digitise its audit functions to strengthen financial oversight. The World Bank expects the reforms to reduce the audit reporting cycle from the current 72 months to just nine months, allowing audit findings to be acted upon much sooner.
State Minister for Finance and Planning Zonayed Saki said the government remains committed to building stronger institutions capable of delivering better public services.
“By modernising systems and enhancing transparency in procurement, data quality, domestic resource mobilisation, public financial management and project implementation, the project is expected to build a stronger foundation for effective service delivery,” he said.
He added that the reforms would also strengthen accountability and increase public confidence in government institutions.
Jean Pesme, the World Bank’s Divisional Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said strong and transparent public institutions would be essential for Bangladesh’s next stage of economic development.
“The SITA project will help modernise core government systems while strengthening data quality, enabling better-informed decision-making, more effective monitoring of results and stronger accountability,” he said.
The World Bank said the project combines investments in digital infrastructure, institutional reforms and capacity building to improve governance across the public sector, laying the foundation for more efficient public service delivery and inclusive economic growth.