Overview
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) works to strengthen democracy and economic development through private enterprise and market-oriented reform in over 80 countries globally. In Bangladesh, CIPE partners with the Center for Governance Studies (CGS), an economic policy think tank, to promote fair business practices and principles of good governance through private sector mobilization. CIPE’s programs aim to mobilize the private sector through business integrity initiatives, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that make up over 90% of businesses but lack a unified platform. A key initiative is establishing the Forum for Fair Business – a private sector platform dedicated to supporting business integrity efforts. CIPE empowers SME stakeholders to collectively identify barriers to ethical practices, demand governance improvements, and advocate for reforms to create a level playing field for all private sector stakeholders.
Why Is This Work Important?
Bangladesh holds the 147th position among 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index. The private sector, predominantly composed of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), faces significant challenges due to weak accountability, ambiguous business procedures, and service inefficiencies. SMEs, which make up over 90% of businesses, lack a centralized platform to tackle corruption issues. Consequently, they often find themselves isolated, especially those located outside the capital, Dhaka.
CIPE’s initiatives are critical for:
- Giving SMEs a voice and platform to combat unfair business practices
- Promoting transparent and accountable governance in the business environment
- Fostering an inclusive and competitive market economy
- Advocating for systemic reforms to improve business integrity.
Published Date: August 30, 2024