Latest news with #GovernmentProcurement
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
MACC backs new Government Procurement Bill to boost enforcement and tighten oversight
PUTRAJAYA, June 21 — The Government Procurement Bill, scheduled to be tabled in Parliament this year, is expected to strengthen punitive legal action against parties found guilty of offences related to government procurement. The bill also aims to establish a specific legal framework to regulate the government procurement process, in addition to detailing the powers of stakeholders and enhancing check-and-balance mechanisms to ensure good governance in line with international best practices. The proposal and draft structure of the bill were presented by the Government Procurement Division of the Ministry of Finance, led by its secretary Datuk Norison Ramli, during an engagement session with Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki at the MACC headquarters here today. Norison said the MOF welcomes views and suggestions from the MACC, particularly on enforcement and the application of existing laws under the commission's jurisdiction. Azam expressed his support for the key points of the proposed bill, which he said align with the ongoing National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS). 'NACS is the best platform for the MACC to address weaknesses in the government procurement system, and we fully support this initiative,' he said. — Bernama
India Gazette
08-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India must approach Government Procurement under India-UK FTA with extreme caution: GTRI
New Delhi [India], May 8 (ANI): India should approach the implementation of the Government Procurement (GP) chapter in the recently concluded India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with extreme caution, according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The report highlights potential risks to domestic industry, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), due to increased foreign competition. It said, 'India must approach the implementation of the GP chapter in the India-UK FTA with extreme caution' India's GP market is among the largest in the world, estimated at nearly USD 600 billion annually, which is around 15 per cent of the country's GDP. The report stated that this massive public spending supports vital sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, transport, power, and defence. Moreover, beyond being a tool for public spending, government procurement serves as a strategic instrument to promote local manufacturing, strengthen MSME capabilities, and support national initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Unlike some developed countries, India has not joined the World Trade Organization's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), thereby retaining its policy space to favour domestic firms. Under existing rules, 25 per cent of all government procurements in India are reserved for MSMEs. There are also specific quotas for enterprises owned by women and those owned by Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. However, India is now facing increasing pressure from its trading partners, particularly the UK and the European Union, to open up its GP market. This demand has translated into a significant policy shift in the India-UK FTA, which includes a detailed GP chapter. Under the FTA agreement, India has agreed to allow UK firms to participate in central government tenders. Even those with just 20 per cent UK content will be considered 'Class 2 Local Suppliers' under the Make in India framework. This designation was previously reserved for Indian firms with higher domestic content. GTRI report warned that giving UK companies near-equal access to government contracts could push Indian MSMEs out of the market. These small businesses rely heavily on protected government procurement to sustain themselves. Additionally, such a move could weaken one of India's last few industrial policy tools used to encourage domestic production, innovation, and employment. GTRI recommends that India should exclude strategic sectors--such as defence, railways, and core infrastructure--from foreign access to safeguard national interests and support local industry. (ANI)
Al Etihad
16-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
MoF launches 1st cohort of Specialised Certificate in Government Procurement Programme
16 Apr 2025 13:28 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has launched the first cohort of the Specialised Certificate in Government Procurement programme, in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), one of the world's leading institutions in the initiative is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance the federal financial system and improve the efficiency of public financial management. It also builds on the Financial Sustainability and Accounting Capacity Building Programme, which has already led to introducing a package of specialised certifications in finance and certification programme was announced during a workshop organised by the ministry in Dubai, bringing together finance and procurement directors, heads of procurement departments, and specialised professionals from various federal ministries and entities.A total of 31 professionals from federal entities have enrolled in the programme, which will run until March 2026. The programme aims to strengthen the skills and competencies of government procurement professionals, in line with global best practices. It seeks to enhance analytical thinking, decision-making, and risk management capabilities while also supporting procurement performance, efficient public spending, and higher quality government Mohammed Hassan Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Government Finance Management at the Ministry, emphasised that the launch of the Specialised Certificate in Government Procurement is a strategic step that would significantly contribute to achieving the goals of the Financial Sustainability and Accounting Capacity Building Programme in the federal Amiri added, 'MoF is committed to empowering national talent with specialised, up-to-date knowledge that supports enhanced institutional performance, improved spending efficiency, and greater transparency and effectiveness in managing financial resources.'She further noted, 'Through this programme, the Ministry looks forward to strengthening the professional readiness of employees working in the financial and procurement sectors across federal entities. By equipping them with the skills needed to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the financial landscape, we seek to elevate the quality of government services and ensure more efficient public spending.'The Government Financial Policies and Accounting Standards Department at the Ministry played a key role in designing and implementing this programme, aligning it with international best practices and standards. It ensured the programme's compatibility with the government financial transformation strategy and integrated it with the federal procurement legislative framework and certification programme is part of a larger, coordinated effort to build the financial and accounting capabilities of federal government employees. It complements a series of specialised certificates launched by the Ministry to develop national competencies, strengthen institutional performance, and encourage innovation in public sector operations. It is set to strengthen the UAE's competitiveness in global governance, sustainability, and financial transparency, particularly in government January 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Finance and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. The agreement paved the way for the introduction of the CIPS Practitioner Level Diploma, a certified credential in procurement and supply to be offered in 2025. The initiative represents a significant step towards developing national talent, embedding innovation in the government sector, and reinforcing the UAE's international competitiveness in public finance and sustainable development.
