Business Desk :
Speakers during a webinar have underscored the need for capacity building of women bidders at public procurement and the e-GP system.
The virtual discussion on ‘Public Procurement and the e-GP system’ was hosted by Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) on Thursday.
It aimed to make women entrepreneurs aware of tender participation procedure with intent to increase participation of women-owned businesses (WoB) in public procurement.
The government procures a huge amount of goods, work and services every year through public tenders, but WoB participation is very insignificant, they said. The webinar was told that about 45 per cent of the budget is spent on public procurement and the participation of MSMEs is very insignificant.
BUILD is working closely with CPTU to bring in some reforms in the Public Procurement Act and Rules so women entrepreneurs’ participation increases in future.
It is to be noted that industries ministry is going to enact the Subcontracting Act-2022 which will ensure open tender and an earmarked amount from the CMSME.
BUILD CEO Ferdaus Ara Begum moderated the session where former secretary and procurement policy consultant at World Bank Md Faruque Hossain made a presentation on Public Procurement and e-GP system.
Ferdaus Ara said some countries simplified PPR policies to increase participation of WE.
Citing example of Chile, she said women’s participation has increased by 36.5 per cent with the simplification of policies.
The WoB can be hired directly for procurement under $600, a similar threshold can also be announced here, the BUILD CEO observed.
Referring to SDG-05, she said, “We need to adopt and strengthened sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.” The seminar was attended by 54 participants, including government officials concerned, women bidders and representatives from regional women’s chambers.
