The implementation of electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) has yielded significant benefits in the domain of public procurement in the country.

Director (Joint Secretary) of Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA), Mr Md Nasimur Rahman Sharif, mentioned such benefits at a workshop titled, “BPPA functions and e-GP related awareness,” held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Patuakhali on 7 July 2024. 

Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) organized the workshop under its Digitizing Implementation Monitoring and Public Procurement Project (DIMAPPP).

Director (Joint Secretary) of BPPA, Mr. Md Nasimur Rahman Sharif, graced the programme as the chief Guest while DC of Patuakhali Mr. Md Nur Kutubul Alam presided over it. Superintendent of Police, Patuakhali, Mr. Md. Saidul Islam was present as the special guest.

Mr. Sharif in his speech mentioned some new modules which have been added to e-GP to make it a complete online system. He said about 70 per cent of total public procurement are now being conducted through e-GP. He mentioned the below positive results achieved in the domain of public procurement due to implementation of e-GP in the country.

• After implementation of e-GP, the average processing time for public procurement has decreased from 100 days to 57 days.

• 96 per cent of contract award notices are being issued within the initial validity period of the tenders.

• 100 per cent of tender notifications and contract award notices are being published in the e-GP system.

• The use of the e-GP system is saving 600 million dollars annually.

• The travel distance for bidders has been reduced by 49.7 million kilometers.

• 1.053 billion sheets of paper have been saved.

• Carbon emissions have been reduced by 153,559 tonnes.

“A total of 11 countries and five international organizations have so far visited BPPA to learn about our e-GP success,” said the Director.  He said the use of e-GP is now mandatory for procuring entities in their public procurement process.

A similar programme was held at Bakerganj Upazilla on 8 July 2024. Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP) managed the workshop as a consultant engaged by BPPA.

About 75 representatives from local procuring entities, tenderers, banks and media participated in the workshop. Some of the PE representatives and tenderers raised questions about public procurement and e-GP system. Mr, Md Nasimur Rahman Sharif gave explanations as per provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2006 and the Public Procurement Rules 2008.

BPPA (former CPTU) introduced e-GP for digitization of public procurement. Honorable Prime Minister inaugurated the e-GP Portal on 2 June 2011.

Dohatec New Media as the Lead Consultant, with Beximco IT and GSS Infotech, engaged by BPPA, has been operating and maintaining the e-GP system.