Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Minister, Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, and James F. Moriarty, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, spoke at the “Partnerships for Anti-Corruption: The Role of Public Financial Managers and Financial Integrity” workshop on Thursday.
The objective of the workshop was to observe International Anti-Corruption Day and discuss the role of government of Bangladesh officials in preventing and controlling corruption and ensuring transparency in the use of public resources.
The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is working in collaboration with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bangladesh to combat corruption through training, updated audit procedures, improved communication, and strengthened partnerships between CAG and civil society organizations.
The USAID is providing US$18 million through the Promoting Governance, Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (PROGATI) project.
Approximately 550 Accounts Office staff of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh at the upazila level participated in the event.
The USAID administers programs in five key areas in Bangladesh: improving health and pre-primary education; creating income opportunities for rural poor; supporting good governance; enhancing food security; and strengthening disaster preparedness and providing emergency assistance following natural disasters. Since 1971, the U.S. Government has provided over $5.8 billion in assistance to Bangladesh.
BBN/SI/SSR-10Dec10-1:46 am (BST)