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The government is actively considering a sustainable public procurement (SPP) policy as a priority task to achieve sustainable development goals, state minister for planning Prof Dr Shamsul Alam said.
Since responsible consumption and production is one of the core SDGs, he said, the government is going to finalise SPP policy soon in order to attain sustainable public procurement practices.
The SDG 12.7 outlines 'Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable'. It will be ensured in accordance with national policies and priorities.
Mr Alam was addressing a workshop hosted by the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) of the Implementation Moni-toring and Evaluation Division (IMED) in the NEC Conference Room on Thursday.
The World Bank is supporting 'The Digitising Implementation Monitoring and Public Procurement (DIMAPP)' project under the IMED.
As part of an action plan, a draft SPP Policy was earlier formulated and circulated for public opinion.
The workshop was organised to review and finalise the draft policy by taking opinions of representatives from various ministries, divisions and selected public-sector organisations having a major stake in the value and volume of public procurement.
Upon finalisation, SPP principles will gradually be addressed in the public procurement framework.
The SPP principles are expected to be piloted in paper and paper products, office supplies, computer and other electronic equipment, office and other furniture or related wooden appliances, vehicles and transport equipment and official paper-made publications.
Mr Alam was present at the workshop as the chief guest while IMED secretary Abul Kashem Md Mohiuddin chaired and delivered a welcome address.
CPTU director general Mohammed Shoheler Rahman Chowdhury gave a detailed presentation on the content of the draft policy.
Lead procurement specialist of the World Bank Dhaka office Ahsan Ali, and DIMAPP task team leader and senior procurement specialist ANM Mustafizur Rahman highlighted the necessity of the policy.
Bangladesh is the first country in South Asia to adopt the SPP Policy.
The policy aims to incorporate economic, social and environmental issues and some more important aspects like life-cycle cost of goods and services in the process of public procurement.
Officials present at the workshop gave their opinions on the draft policy. The CPTU will now finalise it as per the observations made.
Earlier, the CPTU drafted the policy and posted it on the website for public opinion. Based on the feedback, the CPTU revised it and posted on the site again.