WB Consultations report

Country Partnership Framework and Systematic Country Diagnostic for Bangladesh, The World Bank, Bangladesh

COMMUNiCACountry Partnership Framework and Systematic Country Diagnostic for Bangladesh, The

World Bank, Bangladesh

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Table of Contents0. Introduction......................................................................................................................................3

1. Rationale/Context of Consultative Workshops.......................................................................3

2. Aim and objectives.........................................................................................................................3

2.1. Aim..............................................................................................................................................4

2.2. Specific Objectives....................................................................................................................4

3. Theme and purpose of Consultation Workshops...................................................................4

4. Consultation dates and areas......................................................................................................4

5. WB Key Priorities for Accelerating Growth and Poverty Reduction..................................5

5.1. Detail Discussion: Past performance................................................................................5

5.2. Comparison with Other Countries......................................................................................6

5.3. Global Goals.............................................................................................................................6

6. Major outcome.................................................................................................................................7

6.1. Summary of Dhaka Consultation Workshop....................................................................7

6.1.1.a. Identified problems in Dhaka area: General....................................................................8

6.1.1.b. Identified problems in Dhaka area: Business Sector.....................................................8

6.2. Summary of Sylhet Consultation Workshop....................................................................9

6.2.1. Identified Problems in Sylhet Area.............................................................................9

6.3. Summary of Chittagong Consultation Workshop.........................................................10

6.3.1. Identified problems in Chittagong area...................................................................10

6.4. Summary of Jessore Consolation Workshop....................................................................11

6.4.1. Identified problems in Jessore area.............................................................................11

7. Specific comments/questions/feedback.................................................................................12

8. Gaps and Limitations...................................................................................................................12

Gaps.........................................................................................................................................................13

Limitations..............................................................................................................................................13

9. Suggestions...................................................................................................................................13

10. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................14



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0. IntroductionThe World Bank focused on improving the lives of roughly a billion people now living in extreme

poverty, and seek to build a world that is more sustainable, prosperous, and just—for all of the

world. Bangladesh continues to make progress on human development and reducing extreme

poverty. Political uncertainty and weak competitiveness are dragging acceleration of private

investment and growth. To sustain growth in the near- and medium-term, private investment the

World Bank Group’s support for developing countries grew sharply over the past year as the

organization focused on delivering results more quickly, increasing its relevance for its clients

and partners and bringing global solutions to local challenges and increase significantly along

with improving the quality of public investment. The World Bank supports the design of policies

and the building of accountable institutions to achieve inclusive growth in developing countries.

The World Bank Group began to path of renewal and change to prepare organization to take on

its thought challenge to end extreme poverty. The World Bank has embarked upon a series of

consultations in the country to prepare the Systematic Country Diagnostic and the Country

Partnership Framework for Bangladesh to identify key objectives and development results

through which the World Bank Group intends to support the country in its efforts to end extreme

poverty and boost shared prosperity in a sustainable manner.

1. Rationale/Context of Consultative Workshops

Public and private policies and actions can promote equality before law and justice. The Bank

has placed gender equality at the forefront of its own work with its clients. It needs to be

mentioned that the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) would guide the World Bank Group’s

(WBG) support in Bangladesh. The World Bank would undertake a Systematic Country

Diagnostic (SCD) to prepare the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which would identify

the most important challenges and opportunities at the country level in order to reaching the

twin goals of reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity. The Country Partnership

Framework prepared by the World Bank Group started from the member country’s vision of its

own development goals, which was determined by a country-owned and country-led process.

The Country Partnership Framework for Bangladesh would be derived from and aligned to

Bangladesh Government’s seventh Five-year plan.



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2. Aim and objectives

2.1. AimTo listen to the stakeholders views on the World Banks support for Bangladesh and on strategic

priorities that should be part of future engagement in the country.

2.2. Specific Objectives- To engage with stakeholders, renew dialogue with them; and

- To take the push of external perceptions of the World Bank work

3. Theme and purpose of Consultation WorkshopsThe theme of these series of consolation workshops was ‘to sketch the future engagement in

the country with the World Bank declining extreme poverty and upgrading shared prosperity’.

The purpose of these consultations was to collect the views, inputs and feedback from a range

of the stakeholders, as the World Bank is developing a new Country Partnership Framework

(CPF) for the period of FY 2016-2020, which coincidentally matched with the Bangladesh’s 7th 5

year Plan and to support the Government’s vision of development.

4. Consultation dates and areas As a part of first phase of World Bank preparation of the Systematic Diagnostic and Country

Partnership Framework (FY16-FY20) for Bangladesh, the consultations took place in multiple

locations with a cross section of the stakeholders. The dates of the program and venue are

given in bellow:

A. Table – 1: Consultation dates, program, venue

Date Program Venue10 November 2014

Consultation with Civil Society/ NGO/ Media (1000-1230)Consultation with Private Sector (1530-1730)

World Bank Office

IFC Office, Gulshan, Dhaka

11 November 2014

Consultations with a Mixed Group (1530-1730)

Hotel Nirvana Inn, Sylhet



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13 November 2014

Consultation with Think Tank (1430-1600)

World Bank Office

18 November 2014

Consultation with a Mixed group (1100-1330)Consultation with Private Sector (1430-1600)

Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and IndustryChittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry

20 November 2014

Consultation with a Mixed Group (1030-1300)

Conference Room of Jagoroni Chakra Foundation

5. WB Key Priorities for Accelerating Growth and Poverty Reduction In the consultation workshops the World Bank prioritized infrastructures and development

issues as simple projections of past performance suggested eliminating the extreme poverty by

2030. Main findings of the World Bank’s growth report 2013 mentioned the issues accelerating

growth in low public and private investment, narrow export base and underutilized migration

opportunities, inadequate productive job opportunities at home, low access, quality and

efficiency in public services, low resistance to climate risks and urban areas leg in innovation,

connectivity and livability. For future reforming agendas addressed for the country partnership

maintaining macroeconomic stability, strengthening revenue mobilization, deepen financial

sector and external trade reforms. Tackling energy and infrastructure deficits, improve labor

skills and the efficiency of land use, improve economic governance and urban management and

adapting to climate change issues also got key priorities as suggested measures in the event.

5.1. Detail Discussion: Past performanceAs a part of accelerating growth and poverty reduction the World Bank noticed key issues

infrastructures and development and looked back it’s past experience since independence in

1971. To reduce poverty as mentioned in the track record and result oriented performance of

Bangladesh in different sectors achieving MDGs for poverty reduction and primary education

and workforce participation, child mortality family planning supported by female grass roots

workers and organizers by the GOB and world leading NGOs.

In past social indicators for Bangladesh was 1883 GDP per capita in 2011, access to sanitation

was 55 in 2011. Life expectancy at birth, infant mortality rate, under 5 mortality rate, total fertility

rate, literacy rate age 15 – 24% female and male child immunization rates as percentage, DPT



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and measles of the India, Bangladesh and Su-Saharan Africa was prioritize. It was indicated in

development track record pace of GDP that has risen about 1 percentage point per decade and

it leads to significant progress with poverty reduction in recent year GDP growth trend 5 year

moving average for GDP growth percentage and per capita GDP growth percentage under

national poverty line and PPP UDS 1.25 poverty line. Bangladesh has much income of wealth

achieving MDGs by the next year’s plan that has overviewed the attention to education, family

planning and gender in yearly periods both by the Government and NGOs. Community people

has been working in development particularly female are going to reach the commitments that

made the lot of possible in country and abroad.

5.2. Comparison with Other CountriesBangladesh has done well last years with the comparison of India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, South

Korea, Thailand, Philippines, and China’s growth rate GDP per capita and PPP current

international USD. The poverty reduction challenges as that Bangladesh was fall short target of

eliminating extreme poverty by 2013 according to poverty headcount rate percent under national

poverty line, PPP USD 1.25 poverty line and global target.

The historical story of accelerating growth of last few years depicted the GDP per capita income

and PPP 50% of the end of the year in India. Philippines have much negative sides and lot of

improvement needs to develop.

The growth for poverty reduction by decade and decade, Bangladesh has large component of

the development. Last year the growth was not much developed and it may be a little bit falls

back. Systematic country growth for poverty reduction happen by the micro economic and lot of

positive things like trade and various sectors that gains the people in production and some

sectors are economic growth in prospective.

5.3. Global GoalsThere were two global goals aiming to reach in WB strategic development for the consultative

discussion with government, development partners, civil society, media, private sector,

academia and others. Those are:

1. To reduce extreme poverty to 3% of global population by 2030



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2. To ensure development focusing accumulation work to move quickly so that the poorest

people can improve wealth generates

Bangladesh will first play 3% by 2030 with few percentage of population. The World Bank will be

paying to help of the attention in Bangladesh where about 9% resources are allocated for

Bangladesh. Because of Bangladesh is the largest client of the World Bank, the IDA and the

IBRD. World Bank will also be articulating reform agendas both aspect in some areas. The key

things like infrastructure of the transport sector, energy sector, power sect, ppp, delta

management, will be given priority at development, country investment and increase economic

level. Success of this country will be higher though Bangladesh has been facing challenges.

6. Major outcome

Through the systematic consultation workshops the World Bank tried to find out people’s

observation about the common issues like Governance, Infrastructure / Transport, Education,

Power & Energy, Economic Zones, Readymade Garments (RMG), Public Private Partnership

(PPP), Decentralization and Poverty alleviation which were centered on the following: Human

Development, Infrastructure along with transport, Power & Energy, Decentralization, PPP,

Bureaucratic tangle causing delay in implementation of the projects, Economic Zones,

Urbanization, Delta management, Governance, Poverty alleviation, RMG and Education.

6.1. Summary of Dhaka Consultation Workshop Bangladesh is a highly populated People’s Republic and the capital city of Bangladesh.

Education sector in urban development does not reach the expected goals due to traffic

congestion around the city and urban areas. Access to urban development at primary level and

strengthening the secondary education is necessary for human development. In case of poverty

reduction two things should be pointed out. One is definition of poverty and another one is

subject of measurability of the poor in urban area. Government does not access in any change

and quality purchase positive issue. Like education and employment. Educated but unemployed

people are increasing day to day in rural areas. They should get access in financial access to

the social protection which is needful for safe transportation at urban area. Without social

protection at urban area and clean infrastructure of transportation development does not

possible. Certain cases like private university is a part of development and produce qualified

man power in urban areas. Usually the urban area are maintained the connectivity of the first



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truck project to human development and increase the access to education in secondary level.

Post 2015 agendas showed strategically micro finance areas which accelerate the growth of

quality of education and democratic demography enhancing the productivity, vocational training,

skill development, science education or changing the infrastructures of quality benefits. Padma

Bridge has quality investment but any project needs infrastructure which is cost benefit, tax

benefit and product oriented. Domestic market is important investment at regional level.

Transport, power, energy, delta plan all things should be market based which will strengthen the

capital of market investment based on strategically. China has reached the global market.

Specific partnerships improved Vietnam’s financial sectors. These issues can be reached to

global power rising new era, knowledge exchange, exam initiative to traffic control and

community policing. Political economic condition in RMG sector is very effective to reach

connectivity of the market and attach in most powerful sectors, like textile.

6.1.1.a. Identified problems in Dhaka area: General Investment may not be the spent of money or other things which accelerate the process of

urbanization. Urban transportation, education is a challenge. Middle class and poor people are

facing these challenges regular basis. Upper middle class has some privileges to get some

skills to train themselves, but poor people are not receiving that. Good governance has negative

and positive impact. Quality and policy for seasonal education, vocational training and analytical

connotations are not performing as good governance accepts. Delta plans to develop in

broaden water issues. Political economic approach are not accept to all budget and how much

flexibility in to global areas. By the project riverine programs or basin management can change

the strategic issues. Social protection is needful to control the community movement and safety

net. Positive connotation of good governance can improve the quality of social protection and

urban development.

6.1.1.b. Identified problems in Dhaka area: Business Sector In Bangladesh there is no deep sea port which is very important in business sector. In the

competitive market without deep big sea port the growth of investment will be dropped down if

there is no concentration to improve. Chittagong sea port has lots of capacity to improve its

efficiency. Nonetheless, Chittagong sea port is almost full of containers and other wasted things.

Unless clearing containers and wasted things the condition will not improve. The port land road

between Chittagong and Dhaka is not good. Economy heavily depends on the part of river

connectivity then road connectivity. Bangladesh is a delta with lots of river. Nevertheless, there



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is no improving river system, river transport and river port. Unless improve inter land port and

improve efficiency of Chittagong port business cannot rise up to the mark of GDP. There is huge

deficit in infrastructure in port areas.

Private sectors, companies and different chambers have been suffering multi-purpose

problems. Establishing new industry introducing one stop solution it took challenge of one & half

year to get all certificates or clearances. Lack of adequate technical persons KEPZ is facing

difficulties for last fifteen years. Operation for EPZ key clearances needed - Operation License,

Environmental giving certificate, National board of revenue authority, Legal transfer of land

(Imitation, registration, owner land) which is delay in everywhere of the mention sectors. It is

about 1 billion US$ investment and talking about 1.2 billion exports potentials, employment of

300,000 both direct and indirect that are talking about economic zone, unless the problem is

started to resolve.

RMG needs national priority focusing marker access in USA through GSP & in Europe through

GDP facilities. There is no regulatory system for RMG sector. There is no specific ministry for

regulating work capacity. It is complicated in market access between Finance ministry &

commerce ministry.

6.2. Summary of Sylhet Consultation WorkshopIn the workshop the participants discussed about Sylhet to Jaflong road, Chittagong port,

Environment and sustainability, Gender inequality, Good governance, Transport sector, Railway

sector, Private investment, Chinnomul shishu (Street children), and ratio of birth rate in

Bangladesh. Due to high birth rate, people are not affording to increase human resource

providing adequate skills and developed human capacity for better future. Women are

contributing much in development sector but they are not coming into force and recognition. In

future it (women issues) will be including with social safety net for women reintegration process

through different NGOs. If it can make a good environment introducing good governance,

development can be done.

6.2.1. Identified Problems in Sylhet AreaSocial protection in Sylhet area is drastically fall. Recently severe national disaster on power fall

(electric supply damage) attacked heavily. Price hike on gas, oil and daily expenditures are the

main cause of people’s suffering. Lack of adequate water supply, damage drainage system and



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lack of enough power supply the improvement at local level severely hampered along with

global development in local system. Irresponsive political parties who are performing in

legislative or delegated power handling for social welfare and local development corruption

increased and lack of good management system scenario of strengthening local governance

presently down. Due to bitter work and lack of government’s good initiatives to improve Public

sector especially in job area became inactive and people face competition. Government

planned to build Shylhet – Sherpur as an economic zone in since 2010 and a high-tech park but

it went to malpractice and needs to transparent process.

6.3. Summary of Chittagong Consultation WorkshopChittagong is called as capital of commercial zone in Bangladesh. Chittagong, Bandarban and

Khagrachori, three areas at a time might be called as capital of tourism area in Bangladesh.

People in Chittagong areas are not getting technical or vocational training on skill development,

like foreign language, capacity development, etc. that decrease earning. It needs to secure in

future development for economic development. There are many unplanned development for

transportation, housing development, establishing industrial institutions that cause

transportation and traffic problems in this country everywhere. Railway, roads and water ways

need to reconstruct and need to repair its infrastructures for faster delivery of the goods and

smooth communications. There is not much skill labor for human export for better jobs in

abroad. As a result remittance of this country is not much that can make a big issue to improve

the economic condition. Low skill, low capacity cannot increase earning source of the labor. It

needs to improve connectivity for external and internal communication which is low at present. It

needs advocacy in policy making level. Women are intersected to work in Sandle and Shoe

industry in this area. If women get training on Paduka and Shoe making through this industry

they will do better.

6.3.1. Identified problems in Chittagong areaThe people in this area are mostly faced problem related to infrastructures, skill development,

damage environmental situation, affected urbanization, water, sanitation, drainage system and

electricity problem. The water ways in Chittagong port has damaged the environmental

situations which affect human capacity and urbanization improvement. Infrastructure of ship

building in Chittagong needs to improve. Moheshkhali, Sandip, Kutubdia, Kaptai, Tecknaf are

out of development. The infrastructures of roads and naval connectivity are as much as damage

that it is hard to reach from Chittagong city. It has increased violence against women of those



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areas. Women are also deprived form the development in education sector, health sector.

Salinity of the water does not verify according to the requirements of the product. There is no

plan for agri based product development or water level for fishing cultivation. It should keep on

mark for development for marginalized people like fishermen, farmers. Lack of information they

cannot establish their right to development. The products of pharmaceuticals goods in

Chittagong are not getting privilege to come in competitive markets at national level and internal

sector. There is no qualitative education which can produce qualified and capable good number

of manpower. Vocational and technical education is not reaching up to the level that can make

skilled human resources. Disable issues or facility of disable people did not focus in future

planning. As a part of hilly area Chittagong is facing Rohingya problems. Livelihood of

Rohingyas needs to improve. A group of people are untouched as a member of Rohingya

community. Paduka and Shoe industries are not receiving loan form bank or other donors where

women can work in this sector. Corruption in third world country is common in development. It

should try to check and balance with the help of government and set the country for climate

change in global country. Precaution and prevention is needful to manage delta and river flow.

6.4. Summary of Jessore Consolation Workshop Bangladesh is an agri based country. There is no industrial area in Jessore like Dhaka where

people can engage their effort to good work/ product and development. Most of the labors at

local area are migrating from Jessore to Dhaka for better job and good earning source and

better livelihood. The investment of WB on Kaptaksho Nad does not implement. Kapotaksho

Nad does not reconstruct according to planning. The investment of development at local level

has been stacked for corruption and lack of good governance. There is no planning for

decentralization of development at local level. Due to lack of good governance and bellow

quality of law and order situation, the area based investment does not properly utilize. In absent

of democracy there is no control of economic development and introduced family centric

governance at local level development. To some extend quality based product and capacity of

skilled labor does not match in the area which caused the low access to development.

6.4.1. Identified problems in Jessore area Jessore to Benalope Rail way station and rail line has been broken down. Government has no

planning to develop and improve road and rail communication from Jessore to Benapole or

Jessore to Dhaka. Corruption and lack of good governance the road communication system

from Dhaka to Jessore and Jessore to Benapole does not much improve and infrastructures of



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bus road and rail way line has already damaged. Mogla Port and Air Port are not good in

condition. Container in Mongla port made obstacle to make development unless remove ainers

conelsewhere. Infrastructure of air port can change and it could be broaden in area, if it takes in

development. Investor has no planning to improve agri based product protection and investment

to improve flower garden in Jessore area. Three things, such as; unutilized area resource, talent

trafficking and improper distribution of lands, are the major problems in Jessore. Therefore,

Jessore is called as a bureaucratic zone. It also needs human capacity development. The

issues, like storage of food, Tista barrage corruption, water management, tax corruption, etc.

should introduce to develop in future planning and implement good governance to improve the

condition as mentioned. River and water level in low lands make dry and few tube wells in far

place cannot full fill the scarcity of water. Water is a resource but without proper management it

cannot utilize in improvement in economic condition. Women of this area have been suffering

from malnutrition and health related problems. But there is no proper/modern sanitation and

reproductive facility for working women as well day care center for baby care of day labours.

Women cannot perform access to industrial sector due to illiteracy and unawareness. And

Women have no skill to get in industrial technology in Jessore area. If women get access in

quality education (skill based) through policy making, women in development can increase.

Freedom fighters are not included in development sector. So, if freedom fighters get opportunity

in inclusion in development, they can effort to increase economic condition in this country.

7. Specific comments/questions/feedback- Invest money in proper place ;

- In absent of democracy there is no control of economic development and introduced

family centric governance at local level development;

- How far progress will be made in regards of regulatory forms?

- How far World Bank willing to emphasize to remain in future engagement?

- How does World Bank progress in judicial reforms?

- Chinnomul shishu (Street children) are facing railway accident every day. But there is no

plan to rehabilitate program for these street children.

- One stop solution is very much required in facilitating establishment of new industries.

- Agro & food sector requires to be taken as a thrust sector as they have huge potentials.

- Lack of human skills among the human capital is a challenge and that requires

addressing to turn our human capital in to resources.



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8. Gaps and LimitationsGaps1. World Bank does not highlight advocacy issue at policy making level to develop

infrastructures and human development;

2. Judicial or the issues related to legal expertise or related programs did not mention

3. Higher investment needs big percentage of growth, small industries need to focus

with the help of investor;

4. WB prioritized many things in these consultative workshops but cross cutting issues

like mainstreaming gender, equality, social protection, etc., did not emphasize.

Limitations1. The investment of development at local level has been stacked due to corruption and

lack of good governance.

2. There is no planning for decentralization of development at local level;

3. People are not affording to increase human resource providing skill and capacity

development;

4. Due to political and capacity disturbance result oriented program is hampering;

5. Commitment and satisfactory performance made contradiction in Bangladesh;

6. Institutional framework and good management system is prerequisite of national

programs for development.

9. Suggestions1. Global sustainable development particularly in the issue of inclusion need to encourage;

2. Need to human development in the field of capacity development, skill development,

gender parity in secondary education particularly achieving MDGs for poverty reduction

and primary enrolment;

3. Invest in different export company, such as health facility (manufacturing equipment),

RMG industry, textile, small and private entrepreneur.;

4. Improve the public - private partnerships for improve economic condition and good

governance;

5. Build strong social protection capacity and environmental facility;



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6. Improve infrastructures of Chittagong Prot, Mongla Port, and Transport facility (rail way,

road and highways, sea ports, bridge, culverts, river banks, delta management and

power sector, energy supply, etc.

7. Develop regional power markets improving rural infrastructures promoting efficiency of

thermal plants

8. Establish good governance and ensure human rights and access to justice for reducing

corruption

9. Guarantee the equal participation of men and women in economic areas

10. Need to address gender mainstreaming and technical education in primary and

secondary education

11. Include local government for improving good governance and improving management

capacity at early stage

12. Include day labour and street children to improve workforce and development of human

resource ;

13. Engage youths for long term investment in public and private sector (both);

14. Create knowledge base capacity building institution;

15. Invest commercial and non-profit sectors;

16. Improve drainage system in urban area;

17. Keep safe echo system and take environmental safety and emergency respond;

10. Conclusion A good number of participants were present in the consultative workshops and the participants

discussed the issues presented before them. The participants willfully discussed the problems

that they are facing regularly and hoping good management at all level in future. Participants

addressed and suggested the issues needful for progress and inclusion reducing

vulnerability/poverty.

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Documents

WB Consultations report