Staff Correspondent:

The government strongly wants the timely and effective implementation of development projects to ensure optimal use of public procurement expenditure, currently estimated at around USD 30 billion annually.

It believes that successful execution of these projects could significantly accelerate the country’s economic growth.

Each year, approximately 1,500 projects are included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP). If these initiatives meet their intended goals, the economic benefits could be transformative.

Md. Mahfuzar Rahman, Director (Joint Secretary) of the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA), made these remarks on Sunday at a workshop held in Bhola. The event focused on BPPA’s roles and functions and shared experiences related to the electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system.

Organised by BPPA and facilitated by the Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP), the workshop was held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. Deputy Commissioner Md. Azad Jahan presided over the session. Representatives from various procuring entities, banks, tenderers, journalists, and BCCP officials participated in the event.

Rahman highlighted the government’s commitment to reform and transparency in public procurement, particularly through digital transformation. “Currently, around 65 percent of government procurement is conducted through the e-GP system. Our goal is to raise this to 100 percent,” he said.

He noted that Bangladesh’s e-GP system has earned both national and international recognition. So far, 11 countries and five international organisations have observed and reviewed the system and its implementation.

He also pointed to the launch of the electronic Contract Management System (e-CMS), which enables real-time monitoring of project implementation and is integrated with the e-GP platform. “The system allows direct payments to tenderers’ accounts and supports e-audit functions,” he said.

Rahman further mentioned that work is ongoing to integrate the e-GP system with the Document Verification System (DVS), which will allow for online verification of financial documents submitted by bidders.

Highlighting the progress achieved through e-GP, he shared key improvements since its inception:

In 2007, only 70 percent of tender notices were published; this has now reached 100 percent.

The percentage of work orders issued within the initial tender validity period has increased from just 10 percent in 2007 to 96.63 percent.

The average number of acceptable bids per tender has risen from 3 to 10.68.