Corruption continues to plague businesses

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh’s leading civil society think tank, in its recent survey has revealed that the business environment in Bangladesh has actually worsened in 2022 compared to the previous year.

The reason, to no one’s surprise, identified by the think tank is endemic corruption regarding getting services from different government and private sector agencies. It should be said here that while public sector corruption is a much discussed issue in the media and the civil society in general, private sector corruption often goes under the radar.

Rampant corruption has made even our traditional friends and regional allies reluctant to invest in Bangladesh. Reeling under deteriorating socio-economic conditions this country really needs a break from corruption and widespread nepotism. However the ‘break’ remains as elusive as ever.

Bureaucratic and other forms of corruption are pervasive around the country and impact the ease of doing business. Unfortunately, over the years there has developed a national culture of corruption. Avarice has become so deeply entrenched that it drives out all other considerations. And ironically the most incompetent are also the most corrupt.

We admit that corruption as a phenomenon is not limited to Bangladesh and other less developed countries. As a matter of fact we find incidences of corruption all over the globe.

However there is a crucial difference between corruption he vis a vis the phenomenon in the more developed countries.

The latter have strong preventive structures firmly in place, and a corrupt person cannot get away easily. The price for a wrongdoing is very high in these societies.

Another crucial factor is what values societies inculcate in their citizens. At one time, we had psychological barriers — these have been whittled away. Thus people have no concern for their personal and family’s safety and reputation.

Transparency is no longer prevalent, which has created a shocking degree of acceptability of corruption. Greed is so deeply entrenched in society today that it drives out all other considerations in determining individual and national decision-making.

As a matter of fact for most Bangladeshis corruption is “almost expected” more often than not. And this consequently means that much of the time it’s wearingly or grudgingly accepted. Rarely do we see people here exploding with anger at institutionalised corruption. For many Bangladeshis corruption has apparently assumed the status of fitness, a standard of intelligence, a norm of social worthiness.

The government and others controlling the centres of power may not be doing enough to check corruption. Where the impact can be most felt is in the opinion-making sector in favour of transparency. True, it has not been easy for individuals trying to clean the Augean stables of corruption in this country.

The fact that corruption is eating away at the vitals of Bangladesh’s economy is widely known. Unfortunately, corruption has thrived under virtually all the governments that have been in power in the country. The governments is question have all promised to establish a powerful anti-corruption body. However Bangladeshi politicians, generally speaking are firm believers in the adage “Promise are meant to be broken” and strengthening of the Anti Corruption Commission has never found a place in their actual list of priorities.

Of course the powers that be are always ready to utter inane platitudes about the need to curb corruption. The reality is they are not willing to empower the ACC to investigate the higher judiciary, the prime minister’s office, or even to effectively pursue the lower-level officials who make life an expensive hell for Bangladeshis seeking driving licences, passports and other important documents. Our country has a rather poor record in creating and maintaining institutions that are free off outside interventions.