Public procurement has now become more transparent and accountable with full digitization of electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system through inclusion of new modules. The system would get a further boost with the establishment of the much-expected Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA).

The restructuring of nodal agency, the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU), into an authority is likely soon as the Cabinet has already approved the draft of Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority Act 2023 in a meeting headed by Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this month.

Mr. Md. Mahfuzar Rahman, Director (Joint Secretary), CPTU of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), Ministry of Planning, said this while speaking as the chief guest at an orientation program for journalists on public procurement and e-GP at the conference room of the office of Deputy Commissioner, Narayanganj on March 21, 2023.

He said the nodal agency CPTU that presently works as a unit of IMED would be restructured into an authority with separate headquarters in Dhaka initially and branches in other areas gradually.

The World Bank has been supporting CPTU in the implementation of Digitizing Implementation Monitoring and Public Procurement Project (DIMPPP).

The orientation program was conducted by the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) in collaboration with Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP) under DIMAPPP.

Mr. Md. Manjurul Hafeez, Deputy Commissioner of Narayanganj, presided over the program.

Media Specialist of BCCP Golam Mr. Shahnee delivered welcome speech at the program moderated by its program manager Mr. Mohammad Abdus Salam.

Two presentations were made in the program. Mr. Md. Mahfuzar Rahman presented a paper titled: “Public Procurement, Reforms and Ideas on Digitization.” DNet Technology and Innovations Chief Mr. Andalib bin Haque presented a paper on “Citizens Awareness in Public Procurement, Citizen Portal and People’s Engagement.”

The chief guest Md. Mahfuzar Rahman highlighted the importance of the orientation program as it would enhance ideas of journalists about procedures of public procurement and its rules.

He said e-GP is now a full-fledged system for completing all activities required for procurement of goods, works and services. A national web portal and a central database have been established for public procurement activities, he mentioned.

Referring to the formal inauguration of e-GP by Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2011, he said e-GP has enhanced transparency and accountability in public procurement. To address queries of all concerned instantly, e-GP Helpdesks have been set up at the CPTU and headquarters of various procuring agencies.

Referring to the use of e-GP in procurement by using public money, he said there is a policy for this.

Mr. Mahfuzar said some important features have been added to e-GP. Earlier, up to Notification of Award (NoA) used to be performed through e-GP till 2022. Now with inclusion of new modules, it has been possible to complete procurement up to contract management through e-GP.

Speaking as the chair, Mr. Md. Manjurul Hafeez said Bangladesh no more witnesses any anarchy over tendering. Prime Minister has brought public procurement system to a stage that has eliminated malpractices centering tendering process.

He requested journalists to publish news on any irregularities, if found, in public procurement process and flaws in implementation of development works to let people and concerned policy makers know these.

This orientation would help journalists know the basic issues of public procurement and help them write reports correctly, he observed.

"The orientation will be considered a degree for journalists," he said, adding "After the implementation of Digital Bangladesh, the country is now moving forward to achieve SDG targets to become a Smart Bangladesh.

In the month of Independence, he, with due respect, remembered the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, martyrs of the War of Liberation, four national leaders, members of Bangabandhu's family who were killed in August 15, 1975.

A video on public procurement, e-GP and Bangladesh’s development was displayed in the program.