Karachi: Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqir said that traditional methods of procurement have their own challenges which can hinder efficiency, increase cost and sometimes compromise transparency, keeping in mind provincial government. He launched e-procurement system to meet challenges. From beginning of e-procurement system, by implementing transparent and digitized methods, system is to provide safe and efficient management of procurement documents, reduce paperwork and errors and provide access to document information. He said this in local hotel called "E-Procurement System" i.e. E-Pak Acquisition and Disposal System. (EPDS).

 Law Minister and Chairman Sepra Umar Soomro, Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhar Alam, Pepra Chief Maqbool Gondal, DG Sepra Zubair Pervez and secretaries of various departments attended.

He said that top officials of provincial government and people of civil society have come together today for an important milestone of our efficiency, transparency and innovation. Today marks beginning of new chapter as we unveil our e-procurement system, an innovative platform that will revolutionise our systematic public procurement practices. And technology is reshaping various industries so embracing innovation is not just an option but necessity. And added that our decision to implement e-procurement reflected our hard work, our commitment to leverage technology to improve our operations and ultimately deliver better outcomes for our stakeholders. Sindh Chief Minister Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority is supported by World Bank and Federal Pipera.

He said that aim of this initiative is to increase transparency, equality and competition in process of public procurement. Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority successfully launched its state-of- -art Electronic Procurement System (e-Procurement), marking major breakthrough in transparent, efficient public procurement processes.

Automated Bidding Process: An e-procurement system automates entire bidding process, from announcement to bid submission and evaluation, streamlining workflow and ensuring fair and competitive environment.

Enhanced Security Measures: Strong security protocols have been implemented to protect sensitive procurement data and ensure integrity of e-procurement system.  Chairman Sepra Umar Soomro said that system is efficient and transparent, now no one will complain against not getting tender form. Umar Soomro said that in principle provincial governments should have installed e-system but we made it when World Bank pointed out that provincial government needed to digitise it.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 30 2023

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