Published: 17 October 2023
Press Release
Dhaka, 17 October 2023: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UK Government, represented by the British High Commission Dhaka, jointly launched their partnership with Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today to support TIB’s core project, PACTA (Participatory Action against Corruption: Towards Transparency and Accountability). The project, duly approved by the Government of Bangladesh, is also supported by SDC (Swiss Development Cooperation Agency), the Embassy of Sweden and the Netherlands.
The partnership launch event, held in British High Commission, UN Road, Baridhara, Dhaka, was attended by British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Her Excellency Ms Sarah Cooke, the U.S. Ambassador His Excellency Mr Peter Haas, USAID Mission Director Mr Reed Aeschliman, Team Leader, Governance & Political unit of British High Commission Dhaka Mr Timothy Duckett and other senior officials of USAID, British High Commission Dhaka and TIB.
Speaking at the event, the USAID and British High Commission Dhaka representatives expressed profound satisfaction that they were able to join TIB in its efforts to promote improved governance and combat corruption in Bangladesh.
Ambassador Haas stated, "This USAID partnership with TIB represents the strategic importance that the Biden Administration has attached to anti-corruption as its core national security interest and international development policy. As elsewhere in the world, emphasis on higher standards of transparent and accountable governance with particular emphasis against corruption in all its forms is integral to the U.S. commitment to upscale its trade, investment, diplomatic and other dimensions of relations with Bangladesh."
British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke recalled the longstanding partnership of the UK Government with TIB for nearly two decades and said, “I am delighted that the UK, USA, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands are joining together with TIB to promote improved governance and combat corruption in Bangladesh. Corruption poses a major barrier to growth, investment and development. Global evidence, including the UK’s own experience, shows that there is no single blueprint but countries with more accountable, effective and inclusive state institutions and with open environments for civil society and the private sector, are better equipped to tackle corruption”.
Expressing deep gratitude of TIB to the UK Government and USAID, Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB said that their support was of much higher value than financial contribution. It is an invaluable source of strength and inspiration for TIB despite many predicaments to move on with the social movement against corruption which continues to cause enormous economic and human loss, democratic deficit, discrimination and injustice.
Media Contact:
Sheikh Manjur-E-Alam
Director
Outreach and Communication
E-mail: manjur@ti-bangladesh.org
