Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday directed the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) to take measures to further reduce the lead time in public procurement, which has already been brought down to 54 days.

The minister issued the directive while chairing the fourth meeting of the 10-member Governing Board of the BPPA at the authority's conference room on the Bangladesh Planning Commission campus, according to a press release. 

Procurement lead time refers to the period between the invitation of tenders and the signing of contracts.

Commending the BPPA for its institutional development and procurement reforms, the minister said, “It is encouraging that the procurement lead time has been reduced from around 100 days to 54 days through the introduction of the electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system and other reforms undertaken by the BPPA. However, it should be reduced further to expedite project implementation.”

Expressing concern over delays in project execution, he said, “Delays in project implementation impede the government's development agenda. A faster procurement process, supported by greater efficiency, competition and transparency, will significantly accelerate project implementation and improve development outcomes.”

As chair of the BPPA Governing Board, the minister also emphasised the need to enhance competition and improve the quality of public procurement, saying stronger procurement performance would contribute significantly to the timely and effective implementation of projects.

He further said the activities of the Ministry of Planning need to be revitalised and announced that he would work from his Planning Ministry office at least one day a week to provide closer oversight.

Earlier in the meeting, with the chair's permission, Member-Secretary of the Governing Board and BPPA Chief Executive Officer (Secretary) S M Moin Uddin Ahmed gave a comprehensive presentation on the establishment of the BPPA, its organisational structure, statutory functions, progress of the e-GP system, ongoing project implementation, key challenges and future strategic priorities.

The minister instructed the BPPA to expedite the implementation of its ongoing modernisation project, ensure the mandatory adoption of the electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system and digital signatures, and strengthen due diligence of firms and companies participating in public procurement.

He also stressed the importance of appointing competent project directors and enhancing their professional capacity to improve project implementation. In addition, he underscored the need for regular meetings of the BPPA Governing Board to ensure effective oversight and timely decision-making.

The meeting was attended by State Minister for Planning and Senior Vice-Chair of the Governing Board Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, Vice-Chair and Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) Secretary Shirajun Noor Chowdhury, and other members of the governing board.