EU launches first-ever 'Twinning Project' in Bangladesh
The European Union (EU) has launched its first-ever Twinning Project in Bangladesh — a €2 million initiative designed to improve the efficiency, independence, and transparency of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG).
The project will be implemented in collaboration with Poland’s Supreme Audit Institution (NIK), marking a milestone in EU-Bangladesh institutional cooperation.
The three-year program was officially inaugurated in Dhaka by Bangladesh’s Comptroller and Auditor General Md Nurul Islam, President of Poland’s Supreme Audit Institution Marian Banaś, and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley. A Resident Twinning Adviser from Poland has already taken office in Dhaka to lead day-to-day coordination.
According to the EU, the initiative will strengthen Bangladesh’s auditing framework by enhancing financial, performance, and IT audits, ensuring that public funds are managed more effectively and with greater accountability. The project also aims to expand institutional capacity in areas such as financial oversight, risk management, and digital audit practices.
Speaking at the launch, EU officials highlighted that transparent public spending is critical for sustaining Bangladesh’s economic growth and fostering good governance. By improving audit quality, the project is expected to boost citizens’ confidence in how government resources are allocated and used, while also supporting international partners’ trust in Bangladesh’s financial management.
Officials also emphasized that the initiative goes beyond technical training. It seeks to foster a culture of transparency and accountability within government institutions — a vital step toward strengthening democratic governance. The collaboration with Poland, which has undergone its own audit system reforms as part of EU integration, is expected to provide practical expertise and tested models that can be adapted to Bangladesh’s context.
The EU has previously supported Bangladesh in governance, education, and climate resilience projects, but this marks its first direct institutional partnership focused on public financial auditing. Analysts say the program could serve as a pilot for future EU-Bangladesh cooperation in other governance-related fields.
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