The implementation of electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) has led to reduction in public procurement processing time. The electronic system is also saving environment as the emission of carbon and travel time of tenderers have decreased in the country.

Mr. Md Aknur Rahman PhD, Director (Joint Secretary) of Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA), made such observations while speaking as the chief guest at an awareness workshop on BBPA functions and e-GP on 10 June 2024.

The BPPA conducted the workshop at the conference room of the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Sunamganj which was facilitated by Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP).

Mr. Mohammad Rashed Iqubal Chowdhury, DC of Sunamganj, presided over the workshop. Ms. Afroza Parvin, Deputy Director of BPPA, was present and spoke on the occasion.

About 70 participants, comprising representatives from procuring entities, tenderers, banks and media in Sunamganj district, attended the workshop.

Dr. Rahman narrated the reform journey of BPPA starting from 1999 and having the legal framework for public procurement. He said e-GP has simplified the procurement process and contract management.

Touching upon e-GP benefits, he said the average time for processing public procurement has decreased from 100 days to 57 days due to the implementation of e-GP.

About 96 per cent of contract award notices are issued within the initial validity period of tenders. 100% of tender notices and contract award notices are published in the e-GP system.

The use of the e-GP system is saving $600 million annually. The travel distance for tenderers has been reduced by 49.7 million kilometers. About 1,053 million pages of paper have been saved. Carbon emissions have been reduced by 153,559 tons.

Participants raised various questions in the workshop and the BPPA officials answered to their queries. On 9 June 2024, a similar workshop was conducted at Bishwamvarpur Upazilla in Sunamganj district.