Finance Minister Orders Reductions in Procurement Lead Time
e-GP system successfully slashes public procurement time to 54 days
- Directives issued to further expedite the process of public procurement contracts.
- Digital reforms via e-GP reduced the lead time from 100 to 54 days.
- Strategic implementation of digital signatures and automated firm verification ordered.
Hon'ble Finance and Planning Minister Mr. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury MP, has directed the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) to take innovative measures to further reduce the lead time in public procurement. Through tech-driven advancements, this period has already been significantly brought down to 54 days.
The Minister issued this directive while presiding over the fourth meeting of the 10-member Governing Board of the BPPA at the Authority's conference room on the Bangladesh Planning Commission campus on Thursday (9 July, 2026). The high-level meeting was attended by Hon'ble State Minister for Planning Mr. Zonayed Saki MP, IMED Secretary Mr. Shirajun Noor Chowdhury, and other board members. Procurement lead time denotes the structural duration from the initial invitation of tenders to the final signing of contracts.
Commending the BPPA for its institutional development and e-GP (electronic Government 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 e-GP system. However, it should be reduced further to accelerate project execution." Highlighting the technical requirements, he added that a faster, transparent, and highly competitive procurement ecosystem will enhance socio-economic development outcomes.
The Minister instructed the BPPA to expedite the implementation of its ongoing modernization project, ensure mandatory adoption of the e-GP system along with digital signatures, and strengthen the due diligence of participating firms. He also noted that the activities of the Ministry of Planning need to be revitalized, announcing that he would work from his Planning Ministry office at least one day every week for closer oversight.
Earlier in the meeting, Chief Executive Officer (Secretary) of the BPPA, Mr. S. M. Moin Uddin Ahmed, delivered a comprehensive presentation highlighting the organizational structure, progress of the e-GP system, key technological challenges, and future strategic priorities.
//DBTech/JUP/SMI//
