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WTO concludes workshop on government procurement

 

By TIOL News Service

GENEVA, SEPT 19, 2018: THE WTO just concluded a government procurement workshop which allowed participants to discuss how to maximize the benefits arising from opening up government procurement markets.

The purpose of the workshop was to foster dialogue among experts from across the world and to provide them with tools for the analysis, design and implementation of government procurement policies at the national level, including market opening, reforms and capacity-building. Some 36 participating practitioners from over 28 economies pooled their expertise with experts from international organizations and academia, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the George Washington University School of Law, the World Bank and the WTO Secretariat. The list of participating countries is available here.

In his opening address on September 10, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said: "This is a "flagship" activity for us to disseminate information and foster dialogue on government procurement in all its dimensions. This includes market access and trade but also good governance, efficiency and the promotion of a just and inclusive society."

Participants examined the trade aspects of government procurement that contribute to good governance, sustainable development and shared prosperity for all stakeholders. Also under discussion was the importance of transparent and effective government procurement systems for ensuring a high standard of public goods and services for consumers.

Particular focus was placed on the revised WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), under which WTO members open their procurement markets to the extent that they so agree, and how it contributes to enhancing transparency and market access in this sector. The GPA’s growing relevance in today’s global economy was emphasized, as evidenced by the increasing number of WTO members seeking to join the Agreement. Participants also looked into the potential benefits, challenges and modalities of acceding to, and participating in, the Agreement, including for developing and least-developed countries.

The workshop looked at how the GPA can better respond to the evolving global policy landscape that now embraces areas such as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sustainability and e-procurement. It also considered the implications of such policies for future domestic reforms and for achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Synergies with other initiatives at the national, bilateral and regional levels were also discussed.


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