The World Bank has approved a $250 million project to help Bangladesh strengthen key public institutions through digital transformation, improved governance, and greater transparency.
Approved on 12 June 2025, the Strengthening Institutions for Transparency and Accountability (SITA) project will support reforms in five major government institutions to enhance public financial management, revenue mobilisation, procurement, data systems, and auditing.
The project will modernise the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), National Board of Revenue (NBR), Planning Division, Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA), and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG).
Under the initiative, the BBS will develop an integrated national data ecosystem to improve evidence-based policymaking, while the NBR will modernise tax administration through automation, e-invoicing, and integrated digital systems to strengthen tax compliance and boost domestic revenue.
The Planning Division will receive digital tools, including AI-enabled analytics and real-time monitoring systems, to improve public investment management. The BPPA will upgrade its electronic government procurement platform to enhance efficiency and transparency.
The project will also digitise audit processes at the OCAG, aiming to reduce audit reporting time from 72 months to just nine months.
State Minister for Finance and Planning Zonayed Saki said the government is committed to strengthening public institutions and improving governance. He said the project would enhance transparency, improve public service delivery, and increase accountability and public trust.
World Bank Divisional Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Jean Pesme said strong and transparent institutions are essential for Bangladesh's next phase of economic growth. He noted that the SITA project would modernise core government systems, improve data quality, and strengthen accountability through better-informed decision-making.
