Why Projects Fail | BOBC 2026

Why do major infrastructure projects face delays, rising costs and gaps in accountability? Why Projects Fail, an Inner Forum at the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026, examines the challenges between project design and delivery. Drawing on experiences from Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia and the United Kingdom, the discussion explores procurement, financing, institutional coordination and public consultation. The session considers how independent review, professional project leadership and effective oversight can improve delivery and ensure that investment creates lasting public value. Chapters 00:00 Opening remarks and why projects fail 02:05 Planning failures, design changes and cost overruns 11:23 Bangladesh’s investment priorities and fiscal constraints 20:57 Procurement, contract management and construction delays 30:47 Nepal’s experience with coordination failures and project risks 38:50 Malaysia’s lessons on procurement reform and transparency 46:10 Independent project review and effective management 58:56 Infrastructure financing and investment risks 01:05:04 Managing conflicts of interest in development projects 01:11:48 Public consultation and project scrutiny: lessons from the UK 01:19:50 Audience questions on oversight, communities and performance 01:23:24 Panel responses and recommendations for accountability 01:34:54 Closing reflections on delivering public value Speakers Anurag Acharya, Director, Policy Entrepreneurs Incorporated, Nepal Ohid Ahmed, Former Statutory Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets, London Ghulam Mohammed Alomgir, Chairman, Max Group, Bangladesh Shamim Z. Basunia, Emeritus Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh Morshedul Alam Chaklader, Director, NCC Bank, Bangladesh M. A. Baqui Khalily, Dean, School of Business, University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh Fahmida Khatun, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh Pushpan Murugiah, Founder & Executive Director, Southeast Asia Institute for Accountability, Governance & Economics, Malaysia Sara Taylor, The Asia Foundation Moderator Tanvir Mahmud, Senior Governance Specialist, UNDP Bangladesh Date: 4 October 2026 Venue: CIAO, Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh Organiser: Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) About CGS The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) is an independent, non-profit think tank in Bangladesh working to strengthen governance and support democratic development through research and dialogue. Connect with CGS Website: https://cgs-bd.com/ Facebook:   / cgs.org   Instagram:   / centreforgovernancestudiesbd   LinkedIn:   / centerforgovernancestudies   X: https://x.com/CGSbangladesh © 2026 Centre for Governance Studies (CGS). All rights reserved. #BoBC2026 #BayOfBengalConversation #Infrastructure