Abstract:
This paper empirically investigates the performance of a Public-Private-Partnership initiative, namely Union Digital Centres, to spread public digital services in Bangladesh. The Government of Bangladesh established these digital centres, run by two-member private entrepreneurial teams, in unions throughout the country starting in 2007. The paper utilises a unique census dataset to examine some factors influencing the performance of the centres. The role of government effort and private effort is examined on performance indicators measured by public service delivery, outreach and income. We find evidence that cooperation from public officials and investment have an important bearing on performance. We also investigate whether or not government and private efforts mutually complement each other. The findings of the study are expected to provide useful policy insights.
Speaker: Wasiqur Rahman Khan, ESS BRAC University