Parliamentary Standing Committee Studies Procurement Systems in Australia & New Zealand

As Bangladesh continues its paradigm shift from traditional procurement to a sophisticated e-Government Procurement (e-GP) system, learning from international best practices is paramount. The Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) is focused on enhancing public procurement performance, which requires continuous knowledge acquisition by policymakers and implementation officials.

In line with this strategy, Management and Training International (MTI) Ltd. organized a high-level International Exposure Visit for the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Planning. From February 25 to March 3, 2018, a nine-member delegation, led by the esteemed Chairman Mr. Abul Kalam Azad, MP, traveled to Australia and New Zealand to gain practical experience and insights into their world-class public procurement systems.

The tour was strategically designed to facilitate policy-level dialogue. In Australia, the delegation met with the public procurement nodal office under the Department of Finance. In New Zealand, they engaged with the Procurement Office under the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the governance, innovation, and frameworks that drive efficiency and transparency in both nations.

This direct interaction with key government bodies provided the parliamentary delegates with invaluable firsthand knowledge of advanced procurement ecosystems. The visit aimed to inform future policy development and strengthen the legislative oversight of public procurement in Bangladesh, ensuring the continued success and integrity of the national e-GP system.