The government has initiated a broad set of reforms aimed at improving the implementation, monitoring and overall management of development projects across Bangladesh, according to State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki.
Speaking at a briefing held at the NEC Conference Room in Dhaka on Tuesday, the state minister said the measures are designed to increase transparency, ensure timely completion of projects and maximise the effectiveness of public spending.
He noted that the government is focusing on institutional reforms and stronger administrative oversight to improve project management capacity. Greater accountability is also being introduced throughout the planning and implementation process to ensure that development initiatives achieve their intended objectives.
As part of the reform agenda, ministries and implementing agencies have been instructed to place greater emphasis on efficiency and avoid unnecessary duplication of projects within the Annual Development Programme (ADP).
Saki said the role of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) is being expanded to strengthen oversight. The division will take a more active role in monitoring project progress, identifying implementation challenges and ensuring that recommendations from evaluation reports are followed up with timely corrective actions.
A centralised digital dashboard is also being introduced to provide real-time updates on project performance. The platform will allow institutions such as the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister’s Office to monitor project progress more effectively and coordinate decisions using up-to-date information.
The state minister further said that steps are being taken to expedite Development Project Proposal (DPP) approvals, procurement activities and land acquisition processes. Reforms are also underway to enhance the accountability of Project Directors, making them more directly responsible for project outcomes.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to fiscal discipline, Saki stressed that public investments must generate measurable benefits for citizens and contribute to national development priorities. He expressed confidence that the reforms will help improve implementation quality, accelerate project completion and support stronger economic growth and public service delivery.
