Distinct Role For Distinct Entity

Distinct role for distinct entity, Law is needed for defense accountability.

Govt is on the verge of setting up its second ordnance factory in Chattogram. Like the first one, the second one will be operated and managed by the Army. Land of a closed public textile mill has already been acquired in this endeavor. For far too long, production and distribution of defence article has been concentrated into the hands of the Armed Forces, which account for a large part of the public spending and which is the sole buyer of the defense article.

A clear distinction between producer of defense article and buyer of such article should be made for the sake accountability and transparency in the defense sector, which lacks proper laws and regulations regarding such matters.

Without proper division of roles, such public facilities often become net contributor to leakages and misuse of taxpayer's money. In recent past, we witnessed how Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) supplied Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are at the heart of debate in uncontested election. EVM cost govt between Tk 40 billion and Tk 80 billion. Moreover, BMTF's participation deprived private sector of getting the work when industrial production requires govt support. Similarly, Sena Edible Oil's entry into soybean oil market did not bring down prices of edible oil through increase in the number of another entrant. Nor did it improve transaction transparency at the retail level. Army's soybean oil purchase from the open market would divert part of the public spending to private sector,which is capable of supplying oil at competitive prices if regulatory environment is maintained through Bangladesh Competition Commission (BCC) and consumer association platforms.

First the interim govt and then the incumbent govt created a post of defense advisor to highlight more the role of the defense sector. Yet laws and guidelines that will bring transparency and efficiency to the sector are not introduced. We badly need proper laws and guidelines to ensure smooth participation of private sector, constitutional protection for the press for reporting on corruption in the defense sector and to make strong parliamentary committee on defense to administer regular hearing on defense related issues.

I highlighted the matter in the piece "Need Policies For Domestic Defense Production", published here on November 30,2023 (for more read https://hoquestake.blogspot.com/2023/11/need-policies-for-domestic-defense.html?m=1). India has Defence Acquisition Procedure(DAP). DAP 2020 set up rules regarding engagement of private companies in defense production and reservation for them in some sectors, liberalization of licensing and test/trial policies, focus on indigenous content in defense article production. It also incorporates a strategic partnership model that allows Indian companies to manufacture hi-tech equipments at home and to partner with global companies to manufacture defense equipments under technology transfer agreement.

In the USA, Defense Production Act(DPA) 1950 allows US president to divert resources and engage private companies to produce defense article to comply national security emergency. The DPA also allows president to provide loans, subsidies to private sector so that private companies can expand their production capacity to address the security needs.

Bangladesh needs similar acts and procedures so that private sector may take the onus of defense production. Another good thing about engaging private sector is that private companies are subject to audit and stakeholders will keep a close tab on the spending and appropriate measures taken. So issues like misuse of money or cost overrun will be reduced and accountability is ensured.

Starting point could be procurement of uniforms, boot,meal ready-to-eat and protection vest. Many private sector companies have the capacity to deliver such items at competitive prices than those facilities managed by the Army.

In future, such private procurement program could be extended to APC, training munitions, turret, LCT, patrol boat,propulsion systems, navigation systems, guidance systems,electronics, thermal imaging, drone engine etc. This will pave the path for FDI in defense sector in the country. In addition, many small,medium and large private defense companies will pop up to cater to the need of the Armed Forces. This private sector centric defense procurement program will retain part of the defense spending at home and boost industrial capacity of the country as well as building other ecosystem across different sectors.

Apart from domestic procurement, such defense articles can be exported later. The Army chief in a program told the difficulty he endured in exporting such articles abroad. As mentioned earlier, clear division of roles of different entities should be demarcated. The Army cannot be sole producer, buyer and marketer of defense articles. Under clear guidelines, public or public-private companies should be formed. Many of the companies will not have the required distribution and marketing ability to promote defense articles across the globe. In Bangladesh, there is example that can be replicated to address the problem.

Bangladesh's biggest public corporation Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) nowadays is allowing private sector in oil refining business. Two conglomerates are setting up oil refineries. However, the distribution of petroleum products across the country requires huge logistic investment that each of the company individually may find too difficult to manage. So, Padma,Meghna and Jamuna,the three public companies which are listed in the stock market , retain the responsibility for the distribution and marketing of the petroleum products across the country. Part of the refining job that requires huge govt subsidy will be done by the private companies and public companies will keep distributing the petroleum products, which are costly for one individual company. As public companies are listed in the stock market, they have to bring out the regular audit of their activities.

In Pakistan, Global Industrial Defence & Solutions (GIDS) markets and exports defense products manufactured by different public and private arms manufacturers. Individually these companies cannot afford the marketing and promotion costs,but a dedicated platform like GIDS can bear such cost. So GIDS showcases Pakistani defense products across the globe. Bangladesh can float two or three promotion platforms like GIDS so that some entities focus on defense article production while some other entities focus on promotion and marketing of the defense products across the globe.

Another thing that is quintessential is that these entities should be registered in the stock market.companies registered in the stock exchange have greater transparency than those who are not registered. Stakeholders and shareholders ask about their decisions and seek explanation. As they want answers,the press often provide them information through regular reporting. I touched the matter in the piece "Joint Defense Production: Some Points To Note", published here on February 23,2024(for more read https://hoquestake.blogspot.com/2024/02/joint-defense-production-some-points-to.html?m=1).

Private sector engagement, transparency and accountability have long been overdue issues. Earlier absence of such policies had resulted in controversy, close quarter decision making, poor strategic outcome, leakages in public spending,less competitive market,misallocation of public resources and inefficient use of productive capital. Amid growing budget deficit,low credit to private sector, falling output in the industrial sector, and growing unemployment, adoption and implementation of such policies will bring fresh impetus to the economy. A part of the defense spending will go to the private sector. New companies will be formed,jobs will be created. Investment will be made. Domestic and foreign technicians will engage in tech driven production process. And a new new export sector will be developed.

Above all people will get clear explanation about how taxpayer's money is being spent in the defense sector and how they and their livelihoods will become secure due to such spending.