Contract management now in e-GP

IMED Secretary, Mr. Abul Kashem Md. Mohiuddin, has said contract management in public procurement is now being conducted via the e-GP system.

Bangladesh's progress in e-GP has garnered global recognition, with representatives from 11 countries and 5 international organizations visiting Bangladesh to learn about its success. The e-GP system has also earned four international ISO certifications, underscoring its excellence both nationally and internationally.

Mr. Mohiuddin made these remarks on Thursday, December 19, at a workshop organized by the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) at the conference room of the Bandarban Deputy Commissioner’s Office, according to a press release. 

The workshop aimed to raise awareness about BPPA's functions and the e-GP system.

The event was chaired by BPPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mirza Ashfaqur Rahman, and attended by Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin, Municipal Administrator S.M. Manjurul Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner Abu Taleb, and representatives from various government procuring entities, tenderers, banks, and journalists.

Mr. Mirza Ashfaqur Rahman highlighted that approximately 65 per cent of public procurement in volume is currently processed through e-GP. This transition has reduced the average procurement processing time from 87.7 days to 57 days. Moreover, 100 per cent of tender notices and contract signing notifications are now published on the e-GP system.

He noted the significant cost savings achieved through e-GP, including $600 million annually, along with the conservation of 105.3 million pages of paper and the reduction of 154,000 tons of carbon emissions.

The IMED Secretary emphasized the government’s responsibility to reform laws and regulations across all sectors. He mentioned that IMED has launched the electronic Project Management Information System (e-PMIS) portal to ensure continuous monitoring of project implementation progress.

Discussing the evolution of the e-GP system, he explained that it was initially under the former Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) and has now CPTU is transformed into BPPA with enhanced authority to oversee procurement activities nationwide.

Mr. Mohiuddin also outlined key reforms, particularly the removal of the +/-10 per cent price quoting provision in tenders, which he identified as a major issue. The government has responded by directing appropriate revisions through inter-ministerial meetings.

Mr. Rahman elaborated on the legal amendments, referencing proposed revisions to the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2006 and Public Procurement Rules (PPR) 2008.

He stated that the World Bank has identified 11 priority actions to assist the government in budget financing, with three directly related to BPPA. Among these, BPPA is actively working on removing the 10 per cent cap in national Works in open tender method (OTM).

The workshop reflected BPPA's continued efforts to enhance public procurement efficiency and align with international best practices, the release adds.