Chamber Presents Public Procurement Recommendations To Hon. Silvio Schembri

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, presented a copy of its recently published report on a proposed Public Procurement Reform to the Hon. Silvio Schembri, Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses, during a visit by the latter at The Malta Chamber on Thursday.

The document proposes 36 tangible recommendations for improved public procurement processes, following a thorough consultation process with The Malta Chamber members.

Perit Xuereb noted that the document was another step in The Chamber’s mission for enhanced competitiveness. “This report outlines strong, tangible and effective measures that can be implemented to improve good governance practices while ensuring that a level-playing field is set for all players participating in procurement procedures,” said Xuereb.

“The document provides a detailed analysis of the current scenario, and practical guidelines on how this sensitive subject can be further developed in the future,” noted The Chamber President.

Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri praised the Malta Chamber initiative concerning the public procurement report. ‘ As a Government, we are committed to enhancing transparency and good governance by introducing new and better methods within our entities as we have been doing in recent months. Stances which have proved beneficial and are now bearing results hence discussions are underway for such actions to be extended to other entities within the public sector’ said Minister Schembri.

The document was developed after a consultation process with its members and through a working group of experienced individuals and professionals from across the economy. The document serves as a valuable guide for the necessary reforms that are needed, in order to ensure that economic operators are able to perform on an equitable level playing field when tendering for government purchase requests.

These reforms also serve to ensure that national funds are deployed to their best potential and in the interest of the general public.

The Working Group was led by Vice President Ms Liz Barbaro Sant and included Former President Mr Anton Borg, Council member Mr Marcel K. Mifsud, and members Ms Maronna Filletti, Ms Mary Gaerty, and Mr Roderick Abela. The group was assisted by Policy Executive Ms Julia Aquilina, while Dr Clement Mifsud Bonnici (Ganado Advocates) was the professional advisor on the process. The document presented was developed in collaboration with Ganado Advocates.