Procurement markets in US, EU open for Ukrainian entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine next year plans to join the WTO Government Procurement Agreement, which will help increase the transparency of this sector in Ukraine and expand opportunities for domestic business on foreign markets, the Information-analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

To implement these plans, the ministry has developed proposals harmonize national legislation that regulates government procurement in accordance with EU requirements. These proposals were submitted to the WTO Committee during its regular meeting on Oct. 18. The event was attended by a Ukrainian government delegation.

"Representatives of the WTO's committee on government procurement expressed interest in our proposals, they noted a high level of preparation of Ukrainian delegation and highlighted the ongoing work to bring the Ukrainian legislation and government procurement system in compliance with the EU legislation," Andrey Ruban, Director of the Department of Government Procurement of Ministry of Economic Development, said.

Bruce Christie, WTO Government Procurement Committee Chairman, in turn, praised attendance of the Ministry of Economic Development at the meeting and expressed his satisfaction that Ukraine was ready to develop cooperation with the WTO.

To do so is important for the local economy and business. Due to development of relations between Ukraine and WTO, and the signing of Government Procurement Agreement, Ukrainian companies will have access to government procurement markets of 43 countries signatories of the agreement. According to the Ministry of Economic Development, the volume of transactions on the US government procurement market, with involvement of foreign operators is 178 billion USD, in the EU market - 352 billion USD, Japan - 27 billion USD.

Reaffirming the commitment to WTO standards, the Cabinet in August approved Procedure for inspection of government procurement by State Financial Inspection. Its provisions include an improved mechanism that ensures integrity, complexity and control over the use of public funds by the results of the government procurement.

NGO leaders say the State Financial Inspection checks should be carried out in compliance with the detail procedures. They also note that greater control over government procurement can provide annual savings of billions UAH.

The volume of government procurement of goods, works and services under tenders and without them amounted to 445 billion UAH in 2012.

Government procurement includes procurement from the state and local budgets, as well as those made by state enterprises.