Public-Private Partnership Projects in Bangladesh: The Performance of Public Sector

Abstract

The government of Bangladesh recognizes public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a strong catalyst for implementing infrastructure projects. The study conducted to assess the performance of the public sector and measure the cost of service with service quality in infrastructure projects under PPP. The survey focused on 35 government and nongovernment officials from PPP implementing agencies and academicians using a structured questionnaire. The performance of the public sector was assessed with 16 selected indicators. Among them Performances of the public sector in case of land acquisition for infrastructure, exemption of taxes and import duties, linked project, addressing socioeconomic issues were good enough. The findings of the study also revealed that the public sector’s performances in coordination, environmental relationship and communications, interorganizational trust and satisfaction level of the private sector are low. Besides this cost of providing service under PPP projects are increases but customers are satisfied with the higher paid services. Considering the views that starting PPP with weak coordination, lower inter-organizational trust, lower satisfaction level of the private sector, the Government of Bangladesh should take initiative for improving trust through open dialogue with the private sector and through developing a social audit model for PPP implementation.