FROM PAGE B1

The SITA project, financed by a $250 million WB credit, will seek to modernise five institutions: the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA), the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Planning Division.

Successful implementation of the project is expected to result in higher revenue collection, more efficient public spending, greater procurement transparency and stronger public auditing.

The WB urged authorities to accelerate the rollout of digital tax systems at the NBR, improve data accessibility and timeliness at the BBS, strengthen project selection and monitoring in the Planning Division and the IMED, expand the electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system and fast-track audit reforms.

“The next 18 months are critical. Only early results will ensure credibility, public trust and reform momentum,” Jean said.

State Minister for Planning Jonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, who inaugurated the project, said the government is committed to strengthening public institutions through technology to improve transparency and accountability.

He said digitising core government agencies would improve revenue mobilisation, public financial management, auditing, procurement and development planning while helping curb corruption, misuse of public funds and money laundering.