Women’s participation in public procurement stressed

Abul Kashem M Mohiuddin, Secretary of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) under the Planning Ministry, at a workshop extolled the participation of women in every sector and highlighted the significance of their participation in public procurement. 

 "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government of Bangladesh is devoted to empowering women and promoting their inclusion in all spheres to ensure the country's sustainable development. As a result, a growing number of women have emerged in various fields, often surpassing the achievements of their male counterparts," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the workshop organised by the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU), said a release.

 The workshop was organized to raise awareness among women entrepreneurs about the benefits of engaging in the public procurement process.

 Acknowledging the potential of women to yield superior outcomes in all areas, he said, "Women's participation in public procurement holds great significance as a means to achieve sustainable development. They should come forward and actively participate in enterprises and tendering activities."

Secretary Mohiuddin extended his appreciation to the World Bank for their ongoing support in advancing the electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system. He also hoped that the World Bank would continue contributing in the future.

 The workshop was chaired by CPTU Director General M Shoheler Rahman Chowdhury.

Senior CPTU officials - M. Aknur Rahman, Directors (Joint Secretaries)- M. Nasimur Rahman Sharif, M. Mahfuzar Rahman, Ashfaqur Rahman, M. Mosharraf Hussain, Director (Deputy Secretary) Laboni Chakma, Senior System Analyst M. Shafiul Alam, Chief Executive Officer of BCCP Mohammad Shahjahan, and BCCP Program Director Dr Zeenat Sultana, were present at the workshop.

At the workshop, participants were provided with an overview of the public procurement system in Bangladesh, said the release. 

Relevant topics, including modules such as the database of tender pursuant, A-challan, direct procurement method (DPM), international tender module, electronic contract management system (e-CMS), electronic audit (e-audit), and integration with the National Identity Card (NID), were discussed.