The State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market, operating under the Ministry of Economy, conducted a total of 2,721 competitive purchases worth 1,092.7 million manats in the first half of 2023, as per their official statement. Out of these purchases, 30 were conducted through open tender, 1,531 through electronic open tender, 1,023 through request for quotations, and 137 through request for proposals. In 2022, the volume of public procurement in Azerbaijan reached 6 billion 779.2 million manats, marking a 12.8% growth compared to the previous year. The "Law on Public Procurement," adopted by the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 27, 2001, and put into effect by the President's Decree No. 668 dated January 29, 2002, regulates public procurement in the country. According to the law, purchases exceeding 250 million manats must be conducted through open tender, while the purchasing organization has the discretion to choose any procurement method for purchases below this threshold. For tender subjects amounting to 5 billion manats or more, or 1.5 billion manats in organizations funded from the state budget or its equivalent in convertible currency, the formed tender commission includes representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Development, along with relevant central executive authorities related to the tender subject. The adoption of a new draft law "On Public Procurement" is expected to be finalized this year, after which all purchases will be conducted electronically. This move is aimed at fostering business development by allowing entrepreneurs to participate in tenders and reducing the complexity of procurement processes. The new law will introduce new control and supervision mechanisms, simplify procedures, and reduce bureaucratic obstacles, fostering competition among suppliers, promoting transparency, and ensuring equal opportunities for all participants

Source: Turan News Agency