By following the experiences of countries like Singapore, Estonia, Brazil and Denmark, Bangladesh can create a public sector that not only meets the expectations of its citizens, but also propels the country towards its vision of sustainable economic growth and of social progress.

Improving productivity in Bangladesh’s public sector is essential to achieving sustainable economic growth and fostering inclusive social development. Although the public sector plays a central role in providing essential services, its productivity landscape is complex, marked by both progress and persistent challenges.

Despite significant economic advances, operational inefficiency, limited accountability and lack of staff skills continue to hamper its effectiveness. Corruption further erodes public trust and hampers productivity, while inadequate appraisal and reward systems fail to sufficiently motivate employees.

However, opportunities exist to improve service delivery and advance productivity.

In light of the current situation and global outlook, Bangladesh needs to implement several key strategies to improve public sector productivity. Above all, institutional reform and restructuring are vital. Global experiences indicate that streamlining administrative processes can lead to more responsive governance.

For example, Singapore revolutionized its public sector by significantly reducing bureaucratic layers and using data-driven decision-making to optimize processes. Through the “Smart Nation” initiative, Singapore has digitized government services, eliminating redundancies and enabling faster decision-making.

Bangladesh could consider adopting similar approaches, including streamlining approval processes into multiple stages and giving departments decision-making authority to minimize delays. Effective collaboration between departments is essential to improve productivity; however, the existence of silos within the public sector hinders cooperation between different ministries and departments.

Forming cross-functional teams and improving communication channels can promote a culture of collaboration in the workplace.

Technology adoption plays a critical role in public sector transformation. Digital systems can improve data accuracy, speed up processing times and ensure transparency of operations. The Estonian e-Government initiative is a prominent example of how the digitalization of government processes can improve efficiency within the public sector.

With 99% of government services accessible online, Estonia has significantly reduced the need for in-person interactions, saving time and minimizing opportunities for corruption. Bangladesh could take a similar approach by creating platforms for citizens to access essential services online, from paying taxes to registering births.

Accountability and transparency are essential elements of productivity in the public sector, as they ensure that departments meet performance standards.

Brazil’s “transparency portal” provides real-time information on public spending, contracts and other public sector activities. This initiative led to a reduction in corruption and increased accountability, empowering citizens and civil society to oversee public sector performance.

Bangladesh could implement a comparable transparency portal, providing public visibility into project timelines, expenditures and results to strengthen accountability.

At the same time, a highly skilled workforce is imperative for a productive public sector. Regular training programs can ensure employees remain flexible and responsive, especially in rapidly changing areas like digital.

The Civil Service College of Singapore offers organized training programs for public sector employees in areas such as data analysis, project management and citizen engagement. Bangladesh could consider establishing a comparable institution to provide training adapted to the changing demands of public service.

Additionally, performance measurement fosters a results-driven culture by encouraging productivity and efficiency.

The United Kingdom uses a performance-related pay (PRP) system in its public sector, in which employees receive financial rewards based on their contribution to departmental goals.

Although Bangladesh’s public sector may not be ready to implement financial incentives immediately, establishing a strong individual performance appraisal system including recognition and career advancement opportunities could greatly improve motivation and productivity.

Effective financial management is essential to reduce waste and promote productivity. The Australian Program Evaluation and Review Framework carries out comprehensive evaluations of all significant public sector projects, assessing their effectiveness, impact and return on investment.

Bangladesh could adopt a similar framework to review large-scale projects, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and aligned with the country’s long-term goals.

Furthermore, private sector participation through public-private partnerships (PPPs) can introduce innovation, financial resources and efficiency in the delivery of public services. .

Productivity within the public sector is frequently assessed by the quality of services provided to citizens.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched “Happiness Centers” as a citizen-driven initiative where the effectiveness of public services is measured by citizen satisfaction. Bangladesh could benefit from establishing similar “citizen feedback” systems, which would incorporate public input into performance reviews to ensure that services align with the changing needs of the population.

Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation in the public sector can significantly increase productivity by fostering creative problem solving and operational efficiency. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) supports innovation through “The Lab,” a specialized environment for public officials to explore new methods of delivering services and test innovative initiatives.

The creation of comparable innovation labs in Bangladesh could enable public sector employees to pilot and develop successful projects.

Meanwhile, in Finland, government staff are motivated to suggest policy changes and operational improvements through “open government” initiatives. This form of participatory governance helps recognize real-world challenges and allows employees to play a role in improving policies and services.

Bangladesh’s public sector could introduce “suggestion forums” to gather opinions from civil servants, thereby fostering an inclusive atmosphere for innovation and reform. Bangladesh’s journey towards a more productive public sector requires targeted and holistic reforms inspired by global success stories.

The experiences of countries such as Singapore, Estonia, Brazil and Denmark provide a model for optimizing public administration through digital transformation, skills development, accountability and citizen-centric service delivery.

By adapting these best practices, Bangladesh can create a public sector that not only meets the expectations of its citizens, but also propels the country towards its vision of sustainable economic growth and social progress.

By strategically emphasizing transparency, accountability and efficiency, Bangladesh can foster a public sector capable of meeting current and future challenges, creating a government that will serve as a catalyst for national development.

Mohammad Kamrul Hasan. Sketch: SCT

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Mohammad Kamrul Hasan. Sketch: SCT