Description
This Workshop will address policy-related issues on government procurement both generally and as they relate to trade. Its purpose is to inform participants of WTO activities in this area, to provide a forum for both trade and procurement experts to exchange information on national, bilateral, regional and multilateral trade-related activities and initiatives in the area of government procurement, and to facilitate policy development and decision making in this area. Particular attention will be given to the revised Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), which entered into force on 6 April 2014. The theme of the Workshop is: "Promoting trade, governance and value for money in government procurement markets: relevance of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) and policy considerations for Arab and Middle East countries". Participants will consider the multiple dimensions of government procurement policy in a modern economy, and the issues and challenges associated with effective policy coordination in this area. In this regard, due attention will be given to the interaction between three key areas of policy: value for money, trade and governance. The tensions and complementarities arising from these and other dimensions of government procurement policy, such as social and environmental concerns, will also be touched upon. The underlying role of effective competition policy both to foster competition and safeguard the gains of market opening will also be explored. The Workshop will further address issues, challenges, and related flexibilities pertaining to the participation of developing countries in trade agreements with a government procurement dimension. Consideration will be given to the potential role that the GPA can play in facilitating the achievement of balanced and optimal outcomes with respect to trade, governance and value for money. Relevant activities and initiatives in the region and beyond will also be covered.