Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2017-02-28

Expediting the Government Procurement Process

- H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, brought to the attention of the Cabinet, the following decisions arrived at the meeting held on 03-02-2017, with the participation of H.E. the President, the Hon. Prime Minister, the Hon. Minister of Finance, the relevant Public Officials, the Members of the Procurement Commission and the Procurement Appeals Board, in regard to expediting the Government Procurement Procedure.

* The National Procurement Commission, to take action to gazette the Government Procurement Guidelines adopted at present in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and the other relevant instructions issued by the Ministry of Finance from time to time.

* Integrating the new time frames, to be adopted in the Government Procurement Procedure in the Procurement Guidelines for which the Cabinet has already granted approval.

* Revision and updating of the present Public Procurement Guidelines suitably, focusing on the new procurement trends like the e-procurement which helps to expedite the process of the Government Procurement Procedure.

* Making use of type plans in common use in the public sector constructions with suitable modifications, wherever deemed necessary, with a view to minimizing the delay and the cost of designing.

* Provision of technical skills to the public officers in regard to the Government Procurement Procedure.