Strengthening public-private partnerships in Bangladesh: Institutional challenges and strategic reforms for vision 2041

Md. Azizur Rahman

doi:10.24294/jipd11934

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Strengthening public-private partnerships in Bangladesh: Institutional challenges and strategic reforms for vision 2041

Md. Azizur Rahman

Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development 2026, 10(1), 11934; https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd11934

Submitted：04 Dec 2025

Accepted：26 Mar 2026

Published：01 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Bangladesh’s path to upper-middle-income status by 2041 hinges on transformative infrastructure expansion, with annual investment needs estimated at USD 10–12 billion. Conventional public financing mechanisms are insufficient to meet this demand, especially as external aid flows decline in the post-LDC transition. This study positions Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) not as a supplementary tool, but as a strategic imperative for bridging fiscal gaps, mobilizing private capital, and accelerating infrastructure delivery across transport, energy, and urban services. Building on global PPP models and Bangladesh’s policy evolution since 2010, the study reviews frameworks from the UK, Australia, India, and China. At the same time, the study also examines domestic challenges through reports and field-level experience. It incorporates practitioner insights from the roles in the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the Dhaka Bypass Expressway, and the Planning Commission. The study uses a mixed-method approach combining document analysis, comparative case studies, and implementation experience to highlight the need for bankable project design, transparent procurement, and inclusive governance. It contributes to the policy discourse on development financing and institutional reform, offering strategic recommendations for policymakers, development partners, and civil society. It also shows how PPPs can advance key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean energy, decent work, innovation, and urban resilience.

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