Citizens of the country have the right to know information of government activities. The government also wants to increase engagement of citizens. The Right Information Act serves the purpose of disclosing information about public procurement and development to citizens.

Planning Minister M.A. Mannan MP expressed the view as the chief guest at the 14^th meeting of the Public-Private Stakeholders’ Committees (PPSC) on public procurement on 7 October 2021.

Organized by the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) of Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), Ministry of Planning, and facilitated by the BIGD of BRAC University, the meeting was held in the NEC Conference Room, Bangladesh Planning Commission, in Dhaka.

The Minister said, “People want development and at the same time value for money. So, civil society engagement in public procurement should be by practice over time but not by fear. Our Honorable Prime Minister wants to let people know about all government activities.”

Secretary, IMED, Pradip Ranjan Chakraborty, presided over the meeting. Director General of CPTU and Member-Secretary of PPSC Mohammed Shoheler Rahman Chowdhury made a presentation on background of public procurement, CPTU activities, achievements, professionalizing procurement, electronic government procurement(e-GP) and SDGs in public procurement.

The meeting was organized under Digitizing Implementation Monitoring and Public Procurement Project (DIMAPPP) being implemented by CPTU with support from the World Bank.

Dr. Mirza Hassan of BIGD in the meeting made a detailed presentation on citizen engagement in contract implementation stage in 48 upazillas, field findings and achievements.

Director, CPTU and Joint Secretary Masud Akhter Khan, moderated the meeting.     

The Secretary, IMED, said, “We want citizens to raise their voice about public procurement issues. Also, we want your suggestions and comments on the citizen engagement so that we can put up recommendations to the higher authorities for their considerations.”

Secretary, Planning Division, Mohammad Jainul Bari and Secretary Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Md. Moinul Kabir also made some suggestions on procurement issues in the meeting.

Those who spoke during the open floor discussion included representatives from the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Institute of Business Administration of University of Dhaka, Institute of Architects Bangladesh, Institution of Engineers Bangladesh, Bangladesh Association of Construction Industry (BACI), FBCCI, Economic Reporters Forum, Development Journalists Forum of Bangladesh, LGED, Roads and Highways Department and Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh.  The Secretary, IMED and the DG CPTU answered to the queries made by the PPSC members.

Some PPSC members appreciated the CPTU plan to make public procurement sustainable by considering life cycle cost, environment, needs of SMEs and women entrepreneurs. Some of them opined in favour of having consultation with community at the design and need assessment level.