Contract management in public procurement in Bangladesh is now fully conducted through the electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system, marking a transformative step in ensuring efficiency, transparency, and cost savings, according to IMED Secretary Abul Kashem Md. Mohiuddin.
Speaking at a workshop organized by the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) in Bandarban, Mohiuddin underscored the global recognition achieved by Bangladesh for its e-GP implementation.
Representatives from 11 countries and five international organizations have visited the country to learn about its success.
Furthermore, the e-GP system has received four international ISO certifications, affirming its excellence both nationally and internationally.
The workshop, chaired by BPPA Chief Executive Officer Mirza Ashfaqur Rahman, aimed to raise awareness about the e-GP system and BPPA’s functions.
The event was attended by Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shah Majahid Uddin, municipal officials, tenderers, banks, and journalists.
Highlighting the impact of the e-GP system, Rahman stated that 65% of public procurement by volume is now processed through e-GP, significantly reducing the average procurement processing time from 87.7 days to 57 days.
Additionally, all tender notices and contract notifications are now published through the e-GP platform.
Rahman also detailed the substantial cost savings brought about by e-GP, with annual savings of $600 million.
The system has also conserved 105.3 million pages of paper and reduced carbon emissions by 15,000–40,000 tons, demonstrating its positive environmental impact.
Mohiuddin emphasized the government’s commitment to reforming procurement laws and regulations.
He announced the launch of the electronic Project Management Information System (e-PMIS) portal to monitor project implementation effectively.
Addressing the challenges in the tender process, Mohiuddin highlighted the removal of the +/-10% price quoting provision, which had been a significant issue.
The reform is being addressed through inter-ministerial meetings, and steps have been taken to ensure the revision is effectively implemented.
In line with recommendations from the World Bank, BPPA is actively working on amendments to the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2006 and Public Procurement Rules (PPR) 2008.
Among the 11 priority actions identified by the World Bank, the removal of the 10% cap in national works under the Open Tender Method (OTM) is a key focus area for BPPA.
These reforms are expected to further enhance efficiency, transparency, and international compliance in public procurement practices.
