The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in cooperation with the High Commission of Public Procurement (HAICOP) helps to improve the transparency and efficiency of public procurement in Tunisia through the development of regulations and policies for the implementation of modern procedures of e-procurement, and the capacity of the Tunisian supervisory body for the resolution of appeals on public procurement.
For this purpose, two technical cooperation (TC) programs have been launched. Overseen by the EBRD Legal Transition Team, they are supported by funding through a donation from the Korean government. These TC programs will support the decree regulating public procurement adopted by Tunisia in 2014, which has modernized and decentralized the system by introducing an electronic procurement platform, TUNEPS to manage tenders online.
One of these projects will help HAICOP to design and implement a regulatory framework adapted to online procurement procedures when contracts involve small amounts, in accordance with international best practices.
The project will provide business opportunities for Tunisian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) participating in tenders.
In addition, to reinforce control and appeal procedures concerning the award of public contracts, a parallel TC project will offer professional training on legal actions related to public procurement to the members of the Monitoring and Investigation Committee on Markets (COSEM), which considers appeals on tenders for public procurement.
“This technical assistance takes into account the needs that have been identified by the stringent legal assessments conducted by the EBRD in the country and reflects the reform priorities identified by the Tunisian authorities,” said Marie-Anne Birken, General Counsel at EBRD.
“To promote effective participation of SMEs in bidding on TUNEPS on public procurement, it is essential to offer customized training and online support to support SMEs and public bodies,” said Khaled Johmani, Comptroller General, HAICOP.
