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A senior US official Tuesday said corruption has prevented Bangladesh from qualifying for Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) funding, suggesting improvement in key areas of governance to derive benefit from the special fund, reports UNB.
He particularly recommended strengthening of the regulatory regime, addressing transparency in government conduct of public affairs, and improving business laws.
"Bangladesh should benchmark its performance in recent years vis-à-vis the MCA methodology and track its progress in the near future," said David Luna, director for Anti-Corruption and Governance Initiatives, US State Department, during an online chat with a group of journalists in Dhaka.
He said through displaying strong political will in the government to work through these issues, and improving MCA scores in weak areas, Bangladesh should be in a more competitive position to qualify for the fund.
In reply to a question about the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) in Bangladesh, he said the ACC needs to be truly independent to be most effective.
"It too must have the resources to be able to do its job and the necessary legal authority to prosecute corrupt officials," he added.
Quoting Bangladesh newspaper reports, Luna said he understood that the absence of rules and organogram was cited as the main reason for its slow start.
"To truly succeed, however, the ACC must have the enforcement 'teeth', independence, and trust of the people that it can be impartial," he said, adding, "Checks and balances are perhaps the most effective approach to tackling the vested interests in the country."
In reply to another query, he said UNCAC has become an important tool and focal point for the international community in the collective fight against corruption.
"I am not sure why Bangladesh has not signed the UNCAC," the US official said and urged the government to take prompt action to join it.
He said Bangladesh government would have to take concrete actions to implement key reforms and empower those who investigate corruption to prosecute at all levels of society.
He said in many places around the world people are fed up with corruption and are holding government officials accountable.
Asked about the urgency of separation of the judiciary from other branches for ensuring good governance, Luna said checks and balances are critical to ensure the integrity of the overall system. "An independent judiciary helps safeguard Bangladesh's public trust that no one is above the law."
The US official said fighting corruption entails a comprehensive approach, including a combination of prevention, detection, and sanctions.
Luna said the US and other G8 countries have taken a strong position in the fight against 'kleptocracy', including aggressively denying safe haven to corrupt officials, to those who corrupt them, their illicitly-acquired assets and, prosecuting those engaged in bribery, including in international business transactions.
Reacting on corruption in police force, he said it can devastate a community's effort to uphold the rule of law and public trust. Combating it can have a profound impact on the overall justice system that includes prosecutors and judges as well.
Asked about US role in helping Bangladesh establish good governance, Luna said the State Department's role relates to fighting corruption internationally that includes cooperation to unite governments to work collectively on these issues, help them meet or exceed those commitments, mobilise popular will and support civil society.
Citing corruption as a destabilising impact on democracy and rule of law, he said: "It can deter foreign investment, stifle economic growth and poverty-reduction efforts, and undermine law enforcement and security initiatives."
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