Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - A total of 266 bidders so far has been enlisted with the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system as works are underway to introduce e-tendering process for expedited and transparent public procurement mechanism, officials said.
Four government departments under different ministries were selected for piloting the e-tendering process and 266 bidders so far expressed their interests to take part in the digitized procurement system.
The departments are Local Government and Engineering Department, Roads and Highways Department, Bangladesh Water Development Board and Rural Electrification Board-are responsible for 80 per cent of the government's Annual Development Program's expenditures.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier launched the e-GP portal www.eprocure.gov.bd, developed by CPTU under the Ministry of Planning and started the e-tendering process.
Planning Ministry's Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) officials said by at present nine tenders were floated electronically and one of the contracts was awarded under the e- tendering system while the CPTU was also offering orientation training for the bidders.
The CPTU already signed a memorandum of understanding with seven banks-Agrani, Janata, Sonali, Pubali, United Commercial Bank, National Bank and Bangladesh Krishi Bank-to facilitate payments for the tenders. More private banks contacted CPTU to join the process.
Until Thursday, about 306 branches of the seven banks registered with the e-GP system and those have been provided orientation on payment for the e-GP system.
BBN/SSR/AD-04Feb12-8:20 am (BST)
