Governance, anti-graft efforts key to success

It would be a challenge for Bangladesh to implement the sustainable development goals (SDGs) without strengthening governance, local government institutions and anti-corruption efforts, say a number of representatives from the civil society and the private sector.

They were speaking at a dialogue on the SDG 16 (Sustainable Development Goals) in the Bangladesh Context: Peace and Security, Human Rights and Governance held at the capital's Brac Centre Inn yesterday.

The dialogue was organised by the Citizen's Platform for SDGs Bangladesh, an initiative of more than 30 civil society organisations committed to contributing to the accomplishment of the SDGs adopted by the UN under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Centre for Policy Dialogue is acting as the secretariat of the platform.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal spoke as the chief guest at the programme chaired by eminent educationist Prof Anisuzzaman. The platform's Convener Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya moderated it.

Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of Power and Participation Research Centre, said, “Institutionalisation of corruption is a matter of concern.”

A member of parliament gets half of the allocation for social protection programmes, but there is hardly any accountability in spending the money, which ultimately institutionalises corruption, said Zillur, also former adviser to a caretaker government.

Apex Group Chairman Syed Manzur Elahi said, “Cost of doing business is very high in Bangladesh because of corruption.”

Manzur, also ex-adviser to a caretaker government, stressed the need for job creation, which he said is not possible without boosting private investments.

Land, labour and capital are prerequisite for attracting investments, but the country lags behind in these areas, he noted.

The Apex Group Chairman also said the government is yet to get any special economic zone ready for the investors.

Banks' lending rates are not declining to the expected level because of high volume of non-performing loans. Moreover, poor accountability and leniency for scamsters are pushing up the amount of defaulted loans, added Manzur.

Khushi Kabir, coordinator of non-governmental organisation Nijera Kori, said justice and accountability have to be there to make Bangladesh an inclusive society.

Former finance minister M Syeduzzaman reminded the Awami League-led government about its election pledges such as implementation of the CHT peace accord and creation of the post of an ombudsman.

Taking part in the discussion, Kamrul Hasan, deputy director of the Governance Innovation Unit at the Prime Minister's Office, said the government is going to formulate a National Governance Assessment Framework to encourage good governance in the public sector.

The framework would be prepared in consultation with government officials, civil society members and academicians.

Shamsul Alam, member of the planning commission, informed the audience of the government steps to implement the SDGs.

“On Wednesday, we have finalised which ministry will do what.” They are now preparing action plans on the responsibilities of ministries and financing needed to implement projects linked to SDGs, Alam said.

Responding to Hossain Zillur Rahman's comment on allocation for MPs, AHM Mustafa Kamal said half of the allocation for Test Relief and Food for Work goes to installation work of solar panels.

Kamal said corruption would reduce by half if the government decisions are implemented. He made mentions of the decisions to have only one project director for each project and not to approve any project on disputed land.

The minister also talked about the government's initiatives to create jobs and develop skills of manpower.

He said there are 29 million unemployed people who have to be brought to the mainstream economy. Some 100 SEZs, which are being built, will absorb this unemployed manpower in three years.

Presently, there are 6,500 technical institutes that educate 10 percent of the students. It would reach 20 percent by 2020, he added.

Prof Anisuzzaman said joint initiatives of the government, the civil society and the private sector are crucial for proper implementation of the SDGs.