A set of World Bank-funded projects worth Tk 32.88 billion, cleared hastily by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in June, is now under review amid concerns over incomplete and flawed proposals, officials said.

The projects, taken up under the World Bank’s Strengthening Institutions for Transparency and Accountability (SITA) initiative, aim to boost revenue, improve transparency in public spending, and modernise Bangladesh’s statistical system.

Planning Commission officials said a high-level meeting has been convened with secretaries of key ministries, chaired by Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, to weigh the pros and cons.

According to ECNEC minutes, several members had flagged issues with IT components of the projects, prompting Chief Adviser’s ICT Special Assistant Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb to prepare a concept paper in consultation with Finance Special Assistant Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury and senior officials.

Of the Tk 32.88 billion cost, the World Bank will provide Tk 30.45 billion — nearly $250 million — with only 7.4% coming from the government.

The loans are highly concessional, with $134 million interest-free and the remainder at 2% interest, ERD officials said.

Allocations include $82 million each for the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the National Board of Revenue (NBR), $36 million for the Public Procurement Authority (BPPA), and $25 million each for the Planning Division and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office (OCAG).

The BBS will lead a Tk 10.96 billion modernization project to build an integrated national statistical system, while the NBR will implement a Tk 10.09 billion programme to strengthen revenue mobilisation.

The BPPA’s Tk 5.52 billion component seeks to expand and enforce electronic government procurement (e-GP).