Bangladesh-Open-Data-Readiness
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Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized ABSTRACT Open data can be the oil for innovation that accelerates the growth and transformation of Bangladesh’s economy and future. With champions who sustain the effort to release and promote reuse of high-value open data, new social and economic opportunities will emerge across Bangladeshi society. At the same time, open data can increase transparency, Public Disclosure Authorized accountability, and public trust. Photo source: World Bank Photo Collection, Bangladesh, health (2016), education (2007), and agriculture (2007) BANGLADESH OPEN DATA READINESS ASSESSMENT REPORT Open Data for Economic and Social Development and Public Disclosure Authorized Improving Public Services (April 30, 2020) Contents Disclaimer ....................................................................................................................................................... ii Preface ........................................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgement ......................................................................................................................................... iv List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................ v Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... vi Key Findings ................................................................................................................................................ vii Key Benefits of Open Data for Bangladesh ................................................................................................. vii Foundations for Open Data........................................................................................................................... xiv Dynamics to address ..................................................................................................................................... xv 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Country Background ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Sectoral Context ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Rationale for the Bangladesh Open Data Readiness Assessment (BODRA) ..................................... 3 1.4 Definition of Open Data ..................................................................................................................... 6 1.5 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 8 2. Assessment of ODRA Dimensions and Evidence ............................................................................. 11 2.1 Senior Leadership ............................................................................................................................. 11 2.2 Policy and Legal Framework ............................................................................................................ 14 2.3 Institutional Structures, Responsibilities and Capabilities within Government ............................... 19 2.4 Government Data Management Policies and Procedures ................................................................. 23 2.5 Demand for Open Data ..................................................................................................................... 28 2.6 Civic Engagement and Capabilities for Open Data .......................................................................... 31 2.7 Funding Open Data Programs .......................................................................................................... 34 2.8 National Technology and Infrastructure ........................................................................................... 36 3. A Way Forward .................................................................................................................................. 40 3.1 Summary of the Assessment ............................................................................................................. 40 3.2 Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................................................. 41 3.3 Proposed Action Plan ....................................................................................................................... 45 4. Datasets Available............................................................................................................................... 52 Annex A: Examples of existing web portals ............................................................................................. 54 Annex B: List of persons met..................................................................................................................... 58 Boxes Box 1: Assessing the Returns on Investment in Data Openness and Transparency ....................................... 3 Box 2: 7th five-year plan (7 5-YP) focus areas .............................................................................................. 6 Box 3: Global transparency and accountability momentum ........................................................................... 8 Box 4: Public finance data that can be more comprehensive ....................................................................... 43 Figures Figure 1: World Governance Indicators ......................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2: Government of Bangladesh: public availability of budget documents from 2006 to 2017............. 5 Figure 3: The eight most important dimensions of an open data ecosystem .................................................. 9 Figure 4: Dimensional colour coding ............................................................................................................. 9 Figure 5: Example of Data Classification ..................................................................................................... 16 Figure 6: Example of benefit of disclosure of public financial information ................................................ 17 Open Data for Economic and Social Development and Improving Public Services Disclaimer The analysis and recommendations in this Open Data Readiness Assessment are based on information and opinions collected from interviews undertaken and materials provided by government officials and other stakeholders during this study. This Open Data Readiness Assessment is not based on detailed, legal due diligence and does not constitute legal advice. Accordingly, no inference should be drawn as to the completeness, adequacy, accuracy or suitability of the underlying assessment of, or recommendations or any actions that might be undertaken resulting therefrom, regarding the enabling policy, legal or regulatory framework (including institutional aspects thereof) for open data in the country. ii Open Data for Economic and Social Development and Improving Public Services Preface The Open Data Readiness Assessment (ODRA) Framework is designed with the flexibility to support an economical and action-orientated assessment of the readiness of a national, regional or municipal government - or even an individual agency or an individual sector - to evaluate, design and implement an Open Data Program. In Bangladesh, the ODRA exercise focused on the national level of government. An Open Data Program is not simply the design and launch of an Open Data Portal. Instead, a Program should aim to drive the development of a dynamic Open Data Ecosystem rich in both the supply and reuse of Open Data that fuels innovations by many types of stakeholders. Experience among leading governments has demonstrated that Open Data Programs are more sustainable and high-impact when Open Data efforts use an “ecosystem” approach – meaning governments invest not only in supplying data but also address the policy/legal framework, institutional readiness, capacity building (for government and infomediaries), citizen engagement, innovation financing, and technology infrastructure. Governments need to play a multi-dimensional role in an Open Data Ecosystem and create new types of partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders. “Open data” is “data that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed”— and has emerged as one of the principal ways of increasing government transparency, especially on public finance matters. “Open Government Data” (OGD) are datasets that governments generate, collect, and possess. The term “open data” refers to non-proprietary and machine-readable data that anyone is free to use, reuse, analyze and disseminate without legal or technical restrictions. The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has developed an overall framework for its open data efforts called the Bangladesh Open Government Data Strategy (2016): Data for all Mission Statement • Forming open government data principles by means of innovation in data management and change in tradition for information • Ensuring public service availability efficiently, promoting innovation