The Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) discussed proposed revisions to the Public Procurement Rules, 2008 at a workshop on the proposed Public Procurement Rules, 2025, held at its conference room at BPPA Bhaban on the Planning Commission campus on 3 September 2025.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BPPA and Secretary, Mr. S.M. Moin Uddin Ahmed presided over the programme. Secretary, IMED, Mr. Md Kamal Uddin, was present as the chief guest in the workshop.

A total of 33 women tenderers attended the workshop which was part of a series of workshops BPPA has conducted in the last two months with various stakeholders of public procurement in the country. The BPPA has already conducted dialogue with stakeholders in two districts and two upazillas. Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP) managed the workshops.

Director of BPPA Mr. Shah Eyamin- Ul Islam made a detailed presentation on the proposed PPR, 2025. He said in almost all the workshops participants gave suggestions to go for a fresh PPR since the number of proposed revisions to the PPR, 2008 is so large. Therefore, it is wise to go for having a fresh PPR, 2025.

The women tenderers raised various demands in the workshop. These demands include quick release of their tender security, further reduction in tender document fees, removal of hassles in getting bank services and removing complexity regarding VAT and taxes. The CEO of BPPA assured them of raising the relevant issues with the Bangladesh Bank and the NBR.

The IMED Secretary assured the women tenders of looking into all problems they face in the process of participation in public procurement. He said BPPA has invited women tenderers to listen to their problems and resolve those.

The BPPA CEO informed the participants of some steps to encourage women, new tenderers and small enterprises in public procurement. He said allocation of 20 per cent of operational budget has been proposed in the revision of PPR, exclusively for these categories, in public procurement.

He also said that BPPA would also look into the issues of delay in the release of tender security, reduction of document fees further and improving the e-GP help desk services.

The CEO said if they submit complaints of rules violation in the tender requirements by procuring entities in writing, BPPA will take those into consideration and take steps. He suggested the use of grievance redress system (GRS) service available on the BPPA website.

On 4 May 2025, the gazette of Public Procurement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 was published. Following this BPPA has been working to amend the PPR, 2008. The amended Public Procurement Act, 2006 will come into effect with the issuance of the new Public Procurement Rules, 2025.