Govt introduces new asset and lease manual to curb hidden fiscal risks

Bangla Press Desk:   The government has introduced a new Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) and Lease Manual to strengthen oversight of public assets and reduce long-term fiscal risks amid mounting concerns over weak governance and growing contingent liabilities.

The initiative was disclosed by the Finance Division on Saturday as officials revealed that Bangladesh’s total contingent liabilities have reached Tk6,39,782.58 crore, much of which is linked to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and inadequately monitored asset and lease arrangements posing risks to macroeconomic stability, read a press release.

Senior officials made the remarks at a two-day workshop titled “SOEs and ABs Governance: Progress Review and Way Forward”, held on January 16–17 at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar. The event was organised by the Scheme on SOE Governance under the Strengthening Public Financial Management Program to Enable Service Delivery (SPFMS) of the Finance Division.

Additional Secretary (Budget and Macroeconomics) Md Hasanul Matin attended the workshop as the chief guest, while Dr Ziaul Abedin, Additional Secretary (Budget) and National Programme Director of SPFMS, was present as the guest of honour. Director General (Monitoring Cell) Rahima Begum chaired the session. Around 80 officials from various ministries, the Finance Division and autonomous bodies took part.

In his address, Hasanul Matin said inefficient performance by several SOEs has significantly increased contingent liabilities. He warned against the creation of multiple authorities with overlapping functions and stressed the need to align governance practices with global standards. He also noted that rising debt and declining revenue generation remain major challenges, requiring a whole-of-government approach.

Dr Ziaul Abedin said only commercially viable SOEs should continue operations in a market economy, while others should be restructured or phased out. He emphasised that meaningful reform would require strong political commitment and sustainable business models.

Rahima Begum said inefficiency, weak financial management and lack of accountability within SOEs and autonomous bodies have sharply increased debt burdens. She said the Finance Division is focusing on practical solutions, including stronger audits, digital systems and improved oversight.

The workshop featured four business sessions, including discussions on the SABRE+ digital database for SOEs and autonomous bodies, fiscal risk and debt-carrying liability statements, the new PPE and Lease Manual, and the SOE and AB Governance Reform Strategy 2025–30.

Officials said the new PPE and Lease Manual, aligned with international accounting standards, will establish clear rules for asset classification, valuation, leasing and disposal, improving transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline across the public sector.

BP/TD