Africa-Press – Mauritius. The public procurement system was the focus of a half-day workshop held, on 10 November 2023, at Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis. It was organised by the Central Procurement Board (CPB) in collaboration with Business Mauritius, the Procurement Policy Office, and the Independent Commission against Corruption.
Several Procurement Directors, Procurement Officers involved in Government bidding, as well as executives and professionals in the construction and SME sectors attended the workshop.
It comprised several presentations, namely: Checks and Balances at the CPB; e-Procurement System and recent legislative framework for more transparency and accountability; and mitigating corruption risks in public procurement.
The primary purpose of the workshop was to promote a better understanding of the procurement process and the standards of transparency, integrity, accountability and best procurement practices.
It aimed at providing participants with the opportunity to understand the intricacies of the public procurement process, the procedures involved in the e-Procurement system, recent legislative changes with regards to public procurement in Mauritius, and the various mitigating factors of corruption risks.
Present for the occasion, the Chairman of the CPB, Mr Raj Hemansing Prayag, highlighted that the workshop aimed to inform the bidding community of the procurement process in place for major contracts.
He recalled that the law governing procurement in Mauritius is based on the United Nations Commission International Trade Law adding that it is fair, transparent and underscores the bidders’ rights throughout the process.
He reiterated the importance of a level playing field for a bidder as well as transparency and accountability in the procurement process with the rights to question, challenge and appeal.
He also said that competition is needed adding that timely delivery of contracts is essential. Mr Prayag recalled that the CPB carries out some 65 to 70 procurement exercises annually on behalf of public bodies.
The CPB’s mission, he added, is to vet the bid documents, fix closing and opening dates for receiving bids, evaluate the bids received and make decisions on awards.
For More News And Analysis About Mauritius Follow Africa-Press
