DHAKA, Aug 11, 2026 (BSS) - The first batch of the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority's (BPPA) four-week basic Public Procurement Management (PPM) training programme began on August 8 at the Engineering Staff College Bangladesh (ESCB) in Ramna, Dhaka.

The 21-day non-residential training, organised by the BPPA, will conclude on September 1, with 28 government officials, including four women officers, participating in the programme.

The flagship basic procurement training was previously conducted over three weeks. Its duration has now been extended to four weeks with an expanded scope under the Procurement Modernization to Improve Public Service Delivery (PMIPSD) project, being implemented by the BPPA with support from the World Bank, said a press release issued today.

The BPPA plans to conduct four-week training programmes for 22 non-residential and five residential batches.

The revised programme aims to provide participants with more hands-on learning through additional case studies and practical sessions. It also includes visits to the BPPA office and the office of a procuring entity to provide practical insights into public procurement operations.

Under the Public Procurement Rules, 2025 (PPR 2025), physical services have been recognised as a separate category of public procurement, requiring dedicated training sessions.

The one-day e-GP orientation session in the previous three-week course has also been expanded to three days in the new four-week programme.

BPPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Secretary to the government Abu Sayed Md Kamruzzaman attended the inaugural session as the chief guest.

ESCB Rector Md Ashraful Alam was present as the special guest, while Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) Vice President (Human Resources) Engineer Shaikh Al Amin chaired the session.

BPPA Director and national procurement trainer Shah Eyamin-Ul Islam attended the session as a resource person. BPPA Director and Joint Secretary Shaikh Muhammad Refat Ali and training programme coordinator Dr Tawheed Hasan were also present.

In his inaugural speech, the BPPA CEO underscored the importance of basic procurement training in enhancing the capacity of government officials and ensuring better public procurement practices across procuring entities.

He stressed the need for sustainable public procurement, saying effective implementation of sustainable procurement is crucial to achieving sustainable development.

He also called on the participants to develop a sound understanding of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act and Rules and procurement procedures in line with the Standard Tender Documents (STDs).

The CEO also stressed the importance of having a clear understanding of the e-GP system, as the government has made e-GP mandatory for all public procurement in the country.

In his welcome address, ESCB Rector Md Ashraful Alam thanked the BPPA for organising the training and welcomed the participants.

Engineer Shaikh Al Amin said the IEB is always ready to cooperate with the BPPA in organising such training programmes at the ESCB.

The second four-week non-residential training programme will begin at the ESCB on August 15 and end on September 8.

The training is being conducted six days a week, excluding Friday, from 9am to 5pm.