Dohatec New Media’s e-GP Director, Mr. Nazmul Islam Bhuiyan, and Country Director and International Public Procurement Specialist, Mr. Karma Wangdi, participated in the 16th East African Procurement Forum (EAPF) in Arusha, Tanzania. The forum, which took place from September 9 to 12, 2024, was attended by procurement professionals from East Africa and all over the world, with a focus on “Digitalization for Sustainable Public Procurement.”
The forum, attended by over 1,130 participants from across the region, highlighted the transformative potential of e-procurement systems in revolutionizing public procurement processes. The Director of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Mr. Dennis Simba, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in enhancing efficiency and accountability in government operations.
As a highly regarded professional in the e-procurement field, Mr. Nazmul delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Audit Module in Bangladesh’s e-GP system. His session detailed how the module has significantly enhanced public procurement processes, including its role in ensuring comprehensive auditing of procurement activities, facilitating multi-user interaction and role-based access, streamlining audit processes with workflow management, and strengthening the integrity of public procurement. Additionally, Mr. Nazmul presented the Audit module of the e-Contract Management System (e-CMS), emphasizing its impact on overall procurement efficiency.
Mr. Nazmul’s presentation was well-received by the audience, given Dohatec’s extensive operations and expertise in the field. He elaborated on how Bangladesh has benefited from the e-Audit Module and how it will continue to do so in the future. He highlighted the module’s role as a modernized tool in e-GP, ensuring and monitoring the transparency, accountability, and competitiveness of public procurement. Furthermore, Mr. Nazmul outlined Dohatec’s plans for sustaining the digitization of the e-Audit Module. This includes comprehensive auditing practices covering bid submission, bid evaluation, contract awarding, contract management, contractor’s bill payment, and audit report generation and approval.
The presentation inspired conference participants, as Mr. Nazmul’s insights encouraged greater engagement with digitizing and sustaining public procurement processes. Notably, representatives from six countries – Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe – expressed significant interest in adopting Bangladesh’s e-GP system.
Dohatec’s participation in the EAPF was a resounding success. It contributed significantly to the forum’s overall objectives of fostering collaboration, promoting best practices, and advancing digitalization in public procurement. The company’s presence at the event underscored its dedication to contributing to the development of the East African region and its commitment to staying at the forefront of technology and innovation in e-government.
The forum provided a valuable platform for Dohatec to network with other industry professionals, share knowledge, and learn about emerging trends in public procurement. By participating in the EAPF, Dohatec strengthened its position as a leading provider of innovative GovTech solutions and prepared for future growth in the East African market.
In addition to Mr. Nazmul’s presentation, Dohatec participated in various networking events and discussions with other attendees. These interactions allowed the company to gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing regional governments and businesses. Dohatec is committed to leveraging these insights to develop tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of its clients in East Africa.
Mr. Nazmul’s participation, which, in a broader sense, and Dohatec’s participation at the 16th East African Procurement Forum was a resounding success. The company’s contribution to the forum’s objectives and its successful networking with industry professionals have solidified Dohatec’s position as a leading provider of innovative GovTech solutions in the region. As East Africa continues to embrace digital transformation, Dohatec is well-positioned to play a key role in driving the adoption of technology-enabled public procurement.