The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) is a multilateral agreement that aims to promote transparent, competitive, and non-discriminatory procurement practices among its members. The GPA was first established in 1981 and has been revised several times since then, with the latest revision being in 2014.
The GPA applies to the procurement of goods, services, and construction work by government entities of its member states. The agreement covers a wide range of procurement activities, such as the awarding of contracts, the use of procurement procedures, and the publication of procurement opportunities and results.
One of the key features of the GPA is the principle of national treatment. This principle requires member states to treat suppliers from other member states no less favorably than their domestic suppliers when awarding government contracts. This helps to create a level playing field for suppliers from different countries and promotes fair competition.
Another important feature of the GPA is the requirement for transparency in government procurement. Member states are required to publish procurement opportunities and results, as well as to provide sufficient information to suppliers to enable them to participate in the procurement process. This helps to ensure that government procurement processes are open and transparent, and that suppliers have access to relevant information to enable them to compete effectively.
The GPA also includes provisions on the use of procurement procedures, such as open tendering, restricted tendering, and negotiated procedures. These procedures must be used in a non-discriminatory manner, and member states are required to provide sufficient information to enable suppliers to participate in the procurement process.
Overall, the GPA is an important agreement that promotes fair, transparent, and open procurement practices among its member states. By providing a framework for government procurement that is based on principles of non-discrimination and transparency, the GPA helps to create a level playing field for suppliers from different countries, and promotes competition and innovation in government procurement. As such, it is an important tool for promoting economic growth and development, both at the national and international levels.
