Enhancing productivity in Bangladesh’s public sector: Lessons from the world
By following the experiences of countries like Singapore, Estonia, Brazil, and Denmark, Bangladesh can create a public sector that not only meets the expectations of its citizens but also propels the country toward its vision of sustainable economic growth and social progress
Enhancing productivity in Bangladesh's public sector is crucial for achieving sustainable economic growth and fostering inclusive social development. While the public sector plays a pivotal role in delivering essential services, its productivity landscape is complex, marked by both progress and persistent challenges.
Despite significant economic advancements, operational inefficiencies, limited accountability, and skill shortages among personnel continue to hinder its effectiveness. Corruption further erodes public trust and hampers productivity, while inadequate evaluation and reward systems fail to sufficiently motivate employees.
Nevertheless, opportunities are there to improve service delivery and drive productivity forward.
In light of the current situation and global insights, Bangladesh must implement several key strategies to enhance productivity in the public sector. Primarily, institutional reform and restructuring are vital. Global experiences indicate that streamlining administrative processes can lead to more responsive governance.
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For instance, Singapore revolutionised its public sector by significantly reducing bureaucratic layers and employing data-driven decision-making to optimise processes. Through the "Smart Nation" initiative, Singapore digitised government services, thereby eliminating redundancies and enabling faster decision-making.
Bangladesh could consider adopting similar approaches, particularly by simplifying multi-stage approval processes and empowering departments with decision-making authority to minimise delays. Effective collaboration among departments is vital for enhancing productivity; however, the existence of silos within the public sector obstructs cooperation among various ministries and departments.
The formation of cross-functional teams and the enhancement of communication channels can promote a culture of collaboration in the workplace.
The adoption of technology plays a critical role in the transformation of the public sector. Digital systems can enhance data accuracy, expedite processing times, and ensure transparency in operations. The "Estonian e-Government" initiative serves as a prominent example of how digitising governmental processes can improve efficiency within the public sector.
With 99% of government services accessible online, Estonia has significantly reduced the need for in-person interactions, thereby saving time and minimising opportunities for corruption. Bangladesh could adopt a similar approach by creating platforms that enable citizens to access essential services online, ranging from tax payments to birth registrations.
Accountability and transparency are essential components of productivity in the public sector, as they guarantee that departments fulfil performance standards.
Brazil's "transparency portal" provides real-time information on government expenditures, contracts, and other public sector activities. This initiative has led to a reduction in corruption and an enhancement of accountability, empowering citizens and civil society to oversee public sector performance.
Bangladesh could implement a comparable transparency portal, offering the public visibility into project timelines, expenditures, and outcomes to bolster accountability.
Alongside, a highly skilled workforce is imperative for a productive public sector. Regular training programs can ensure that employees remain flexible and responsive, particularly in rapidly changing fields such as digital technology.
Singapore's Civil Service College offers organised training programs for public sector employees in fields such as data analytics, project management, and citizen engagement. Bangladesh could consider creating a comparable institution to provide training that aligns with the changing demands of public service.
Moreover, performance measurement fosters a culture focused on results by incentivising productivity and efficiency.
The United Kingdom utilises a performance-related pay (PRP) system within its public sector, where employees earn financial rewards based on their contributions to departmental objectives.
Although Bangladesh's public sector may not be ready to implement financial incentives immediately, establishing a robust individual performance evaluation system that includes recognition and opportunities for career advancement could greatly enhance motivation and productivity.
Effective financial management is crucial for reducing waste and promoting productivity. Australia's Program Evaluation and Review Framework conducts comprehensive assessments of all significant public sector projects, evaluating their efficiency, impact, and return on investment.
Bangladesh could adopt a similar framework to examine large-scale projects, ensuring that resources are utilised effectively and aligned with the nation's long-term objectives.
Besides, engaging the private sector through public-private partnerships (PPPs) can introduce innovation, financial resources, and efficiency in public service delivery. .
Productivity within the public sector is frequently assessed by the standard of services rendered to citizens.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched "Happiness Centres" as part of a citizen-focused initiative where the effectiveness of public services is gauged through citizen satisfaction. Bangladesh could gain from establishing similar "citizen feedback" systems, which would incorporate public input into performance assessments to ensure that services align with the changing needs of the populace.
Moreover, fostering a culture of innovation in the public sector can significantly boost productivity by promoting creative problem-solving and operational efficiency. The United States' Office of Personnel Management (OPM) supports innovation through "The Lab," a specialised environment for public servants to explore new methods of service delivery and test innovative initiatives.
The establishment of comparable innovation labs in Bangladesh could empower public sector employees to pilot and expand successful projects.
Alongside, in Finland, government personnel are motivated to suggest policy modifications and operational enhancements through "Open Government" initiatives. This form of participatory governance aids in recognising real-world challenges and allows employees to play a role in policy and service enhancements.
Bangladesh's public sector could introduce "suggestion forums" to gather insights from civil servants, thereby fostering an inclusive atmosphere for innovation and reform. Bangladesh's journey toward a more productive public sector requires targeted, holistic reforms inspired by global success stories.
The experiences of countries like Singapore, Estonia, Brazil, and Denmark provide a blueprint for optimising public administration through digital transformation, skill development, accountability, and citizen-centred service delivery.
By adapting these best practices, Bangladesh can create a public sector that not only meets the expectations of its citizens but also propels the country toward its vision of sustainable economic growth and social progress.
With a strategic focus on transparency, accountability, and efficiency, Bangladesh can foster a public sector capable of addressing both current and future challenges, ultimately creating a government that serves as a catalyst for national development.
Dr Mohammad Kamrul Hasan is a public administration researcher and practitioner.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
