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Star Business Report
March 15, 2011
The government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five banks to facilitate payment for the electronic government procurement (e-GP) system.
The signing ceremony was held in the conference room of the Planning Ministry with Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) Secretary Md Habib Ullah Majumder in the chair, according to a press release.
Agrani, Janata, UCBL, Bangladesh Krishi Bank and the National Bank Ltd signed the MoU. Director General of Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) Amulya Kumar Debnath and representatives of the banks signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides. Director (coordination) of CPTU Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury was also present.
More banks are supposed to sign the MoU to operate the e-payment for the e-GP system later.
The CPTU of IMED is prepared to launch the e-GP in public procurement in April, in 17 procuring entities, initially under the Public Procurement Reform Project (PPRP)-II supported by the World Bank. The CPTU has been implementing the PPRP-II since 2007.
The MoU is required for the synchronisation between the electronic payment system of the banks and the e-GP system. Under the MoU, the banks will be given access to the e-GP portal dashboard so that the information on payment made by the bidders can be provided to the e-GP portal.
This month CPTU will invite bidders for registration with the e-GP system developed by them. The banks will then be provided training on the use of the e-GP portal to synchronise with their electronic system of payment. The bidders will also be given orientation on the use of the e-GP portal.
Meanwhile, the online monitoring system of procurement was inaugurated by the Minister for Planning on Sunday. The officials of the procuring entities of the four target agencies have been provided training on the use of the e-GP. Connectivity and hardware have also been provided. |
