Dhaka:A bill seeking to amend the Public Procurement Act to facilitate the participation of newly registered businesses and young entrepreneurs in government procurement processes was placed in Parliament on Wednesday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Planning and Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the House. The bill was subsequently sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Planning for further scrutiny, with a report expected within two working days.
The proposed legislation aims to remove unnecessary conditions that restrict newly registered individuals or young entrepreneurs from participating in procurement processes. It specifies that long-term experience, high annual turnover, and previous experience with government projects or large contracts should not be mandatory eligibility criteria. However, specific requirements may be imposed by procuring entities in exceptional cases, considering the nature and complexity of the procurement.
To promote domestic industries, the amendment allows the government to prefer products made in Bangladesh or mandate the purchase of locally produced goods. It also seeks to relax eligibility requirements to support new bidders, micro and small bidders, women bidders, and disadvantaged groups. Additionally, foreign participants in procurement processes must form joint ventures with Bangladeshi entities.
The bill was introduced following an ordinance issued by the government, which it aims to repeal and incorporate into law. Planning Minister Chowdhury emphasized that transparency, accountability, and equal treatment in public procurement are crucial for the optimal use of public funds, aligning with domestic interests. The Public Procurement Act, initially enacted in 2006, has been amended five times, with the latest changes reflected in this bill.
Minister Chowdhury noted that the government's decision to issue the Public Procurement (Amendment) Ordinance on September 21 was driven by the need to eliminate discriminatory provisions and ensure competitive participation. Following consultations and public feedback, the bill underwent necessary revisions to enhance transparency and accountability, prioritizing domestic industries and safeguarding public interests.