The Open Budget Survey 2012 of the Washington-based International Budget Partnership (IBP) shows that Bangladesh has consistently increased in its Open Budget Index (OBI), indicating that the country is moving towards development, reports UNB.
Bangladesh scores 58 out of 100 against 42 in 2008 and 48 in 2010, showing a marked improvement.
The Open Budget Survey report was unveiled at RC Majumder Auditorium of Dhaka University on Thursday.
Development Studies Department of Dhaka University in collaboration with the IBP organised the launching ceremony.
Bangladesh’s score of 58 is higher than the average score of 43 for all the 100 countries surveyed, but is below the score of neighbouring India.
The Budget Index shows that the government provides the public with some information (40-60), but very much close to substantial level (61-80) on the central government’s budget and financial activities during the course of the budget year.
In terms of adequacy and availability of eight key budget documents, Bangladesh now publishes only four documents-executive budget proposal, enacted budget, mid-year review and in-year reports.
Bangladesh does not prepare pre-budget statement (in consultation with business associations, economists and civil society), citizens’ budget, year-end report and audit report (not timely produced and published), the survey says.
DU vice chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, joint secretary of Finance Ministry Abdur Rouf Talukder, deputy secretary of Finance Ministry Shirajun Noor Chowdhury and chairman of Development Studies Department Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Associate professor of the department Dr M Abu Eusuf presented the keynote paper at the function.
The IBP’s Open Budget Survey is the only independent, comparative, regular measure of budget transparency and accountability around the world.
The Survey uses internationally accepted criteria to assess each country’s budget transparency developed by multilateral organisations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions.
Source: Financial Express
