Women tenderers in Khulna have welcomed the new Public Procurement Rules (PPR) 2025, saying the updated framework finally creates dedicated space for women-owned enterprises by making registration and participation in electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) easier, reducing procedural barriers and prioritising women-led businesses in several key segments of public procurement.
At a workshop organised by the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) at the Circuit House conference room on Thursday, participants said the pro-women measures in the PPR 2025 will encourage more women to enter the public procurement system and operate independently rather than signing tender documents on behalf of their husbands, as many currently do.
BPPA Chief Executive Officer (Secretary) S M Moin Uddin Ahmed attended the event as the chief guest. Khulna Divisional Commissioner (Additional Secretary) Md Mokhtar Ahmed was present as the special guest, while A S M Zamshed Khondaker chaired the workshop. A total of 31 women tenderers from the division took part.
BPPA Director and National Procurement Trainer Shah Eyamin-Ul Islam presented the major features of the PPR 2025, explaining how the new rules aim to expand women’s economic opportunities. BPPA Director Mohammad Ali Ahmed Khan also attended the session.
Speaking to participants, the BPPA CEO said women constitute half the population and meaningful national progress is impossible without their equal economic participation.
He said the new rules were designed to accommodate women’s needs and strengthen their participation in procurement. “We are here to listen to you and take your views forward,” he told the tenderers.
Several participants urged the BPPA to continue building women’s capacity in procurement management and to take further steps so that women entrepreneurs can lead tender activities themselves.
Khulna’s Deputy Commissioner said this was the first workshop in his 15-year career where he interacted directly with women tenderers. The Divisional Commissioner echoed the sentiment and assured them that their concerns would be addressed.
The BPPA has been holding similar capacity-building sessions nationwide to familiarise tenderers and officials with the new rules and the e-GP platform.
The PPR 2025 came into effect on 28 September following amendments to the Public Procurement Act 2006.
