Published: 03 November 2024
In a bustling government office in Barguna, buzzes with energy as public and private sectors unite to enhance service delivery. Government officials and private sector leaders sit shoulder to shoulder, not as separate entities, but as partners united by a common goal: transforming Bangladesh's public service delivery system. This scene, replicated across nine districts from September to October 2024, represents a bold new approach to tackling one of the nation's most persistent challenges.
Breaking Down the Walls
For years, corruption has cast a long shadow over Bangladesh's public services, creating an invisible barrier between citizens and their institutions. But now, through a groundbreaking series of workshops organized jointly by district administrations and the Committee of Concerned Citizens (CCC), a new model of cooperation is emerging.
The numbers tell a compelling story - 385 public institutions and 29 private organizations have come together, breaking traditional boundaries to forge a new path. These meetings serve as vital platforms for transformation, where participants collaboratively formulate actionable plans to advance the National Integrity Strategy (NIS) and harmonize efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative's strength lies in its comprehensive approach:
- Government officials bring their institutional knowledge and authority
- Private sector partners contribute efficiency and innovation
- Civil society organizations provide grassroots connections and accountability
- Citizens participate through feedback and engagement
The Power of Partnership
Kazi Shafiqur Rahman, Coordinator-Civic Engagement of TIB said that, "The complexity of modern governance demands that public and private sectors join hands to restore public trust." Md. Atikur Rahman, another TIB Civic Engagement Coordinator who has also facilitated several workshops, stated that, "It's about recognizing that sustainable change requires all hands on deck – public, private, and civil society working in concert."
From Theory to Practice
In Nilphamari, Khulna, Bogura, and beyond, these partnerships are already showing promise. Workshop participants don't just discuss abstract concepts – they create detailed implementation plans that bridge the gap between public and private expertise. "When we combine government's reach with private sector efficiency, we create a service delivery system that truly serves the people," notes Md. Firoz Uddin, Cluster Coordinator of TIB.
During the workshops, critical components for successful public-private collaboration were highlighted, including the following:
i. The formation of collaborative monitoring committees;
ii. The development of shared performance indicators;
iii. The establishment of channels for citizens to provide input on a regular basis;
iv. The exchange of technical support between different industries v. The formation of ethical committees with people from different backgrounds represented .
The Road Ahead
There are certain difficulties for this new kind of cooperation. Coordinating across various sectors calls for new concepts, systems, and most crucially fresh perspectives. But participants remain optimistic. As one government official put it, "When we share responsibility, we multiply our impact." The participants emphasize that corruption prevention is not just an institutional challenge – it is a societal one that begins in families and extends to all levels of governance. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Bangladesh is creating a model for service delivery that could transform how public services are delivered across the developing world.
As these workshops conclude, participants leave behind more than just action plans and commitments. They have developed a model that outlines the ways in which public-private partnerships hold the potential to transform government at the local level. The message is clear - in the fight for integrity and efficiency and to build a non-discriminatory ‘New Bangladesh’, the dream of a corruption-free, efficient service delivery system seems within reach. And public private partnership is not just an option – it is the only way forward.
