Govt to merge investment institutes to strengthen project management

The government is moving toward merging two major capacity-building initiatives – the Institute of Public Investment Management (IPIM) under the Planning Division and the proposed Centre of Excellence (CoE) under the Economic Relations Division (ERD) – to create a unified platform for strengthening public investment management, transparency, and accountability.

The proposal emerged from a high-level coordination meeting held on 18th September, chaired by Iqbal Abdullah Harun, former senior secretary of the Planning Division.

The meeting was attended by Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of ERD, senior officials from both ministries, the Planning Commission, and representatives from development partners including the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The meeting noted that both IPIM and the proposed CoE share a common goal: enhancing the skills, efficiency, and governance capacity of public officials engaged in investment planning and project implementation.

Former Senior Secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun said the establishment of IPIM, approved by Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, was modeled after advanced international practices in Public Investment Management (PIM).

Supported jointly by the World Bank and the Government of Bangladesh under the Strengthening Institutions for Transparency and Accountability (SITA) project, approved at the ECNEC meeting in June, IPIM has already begun training programmes from its temporary office at the National Economic Council (NEC) building.

“Given the shared objectives of IPIM and ERD’s Centre of Excellence, it is both rational and efficient to integrate them into one consolidated institute,” Harun remarked.

ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky confirmed the division’s support for the merger.

He explained that the CoE, initially designed under an ADB technical assistance project, was intended to train ERD and other government officials, particularly those stationed near the Planning Commission complex, and to develop a pool of expert trainers and knowledge-sharing mechanisms across ministries.

“The Centre of Excellence was envisioned to create a cadre of capable trainers within the government system. Since the goals of both institutions are identical, ERD has no objection to merging the initiatives under a joint framework,” Siddiky said.

SM Ebadur Rahman, ADB’s Lead Senior Sector Officer, clarified that the CoE initiative originated from an ADB-supported technical assistance programme focusing on feasibility studies and capacity development but without infrastructure financing.

This opened the door for the Planning Division’s proposal to construct a two-story academic building within the Planning Commission compound, featuring modern training rooms, parking facilities, and shared use by the Planning Division, Planning Commission, and ERD.

Several senior officials agreed that merging the two initiatives would generate synergy and eliminate duplication.

Dr Nurun Nahar, additional secretary of the Planning Division, said IPIM was designed to “enhance analytical, financial, and managerial skills among public officials engaged in project implementation.”

Dr Sadia Sharmin, joint secretary of the Planning Division and director general of IPIM, noted that the institute has already begun limited training activities but needs a permanent facility.

If foreign funding is unavailable, she suggested proceeding with construction under Government of Bangladesh (GoB) financing.

Officials also recommended establishing a joint governing structure, with the ERD secretary serving as Co-Chairperson of the Governing Board.

Key recommendations from the meeting

The meeting recommended forming a unified institute named the Institute of Public Investment Management-Centre of Excellence (IPIM-CoE), to be jointly operated by the Planning Division and the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

A modern academic building with two basements and two upper floors will be built on the Planning Commission compound, featuring training facilities and parking space.

The institute will train officials from the Planning Division, Planning Commission, ERD, and other ministries involved in development projects.

Its Governing Board will include representatives from both divisions, with the ERD Secretary serving as Co-Chairperson. Final implementation will proceed after completing the feasibility study and consultations with relevant agencies.

“If properly executed, the joint institute could serve as Bangladesh’s first world-class academy for investment management, bridging government planning, fiscal governance, and development efficiency,” observed a senior planning commission official.