Agreement on Government Procurement Signatories: Understanding the Basics

The Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) is a plurilateral agreement that aims to promote fair and transparent procurement practices among its signatories. It was first established under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1979, and was updated and expanded in 1994 as part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. The GPA currently has 20 signatories, including the European Union and its member states, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong China, and Singapore.

The GPA sets out a number of principles and rules for government procurement that its signatories agree to follow. These include non-discrimination, transparency, and fair and open competition. Signatories are required to publish their procurement notices and tender documents, as well as provide interested parties with sufficient time to submit bids. They must also evaluate bids based on objective and transparent criteria, and take into account factors such as quality, price, and delivery time.

One of the key benefits of the GPA is that it helps to create a level playing field for suppliers looking to do business with government agencies in its signatory countries. This is achieved by requiring signatories to treat foreign suppliers no differently than domestic ones when it comes to procurement. This helps to prevent discrimination against foreign companies and increases opportunities for them to compete on a fair basis.

Another benefit of the GPA is that it can help to reduce corruption in government procurement. By requiring transparency and open competition, the GPA makes it more difficult for government officials to engage in favoritism or accept bribes. This can help to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and effectively.

Overall, the GPA is an important agreement for anyone involved in government procurement. Its signatories are some of the world`s largest economies, and compliance with its principles and rules can help to open up new markets and opportunities for suppliers. If you`re looking to do business with a government agency in a GPA signatory country, it`s important to familiarize yourself with the requirements of the agreement and ensure that you are in compliance with them.