Jamaica’s Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke says a Procurement Commission is to be established by the end of 2018.
Clarke who made the announcement while addressing an investor forum briefing here last week said the Commission will oversee the government procurement process. The existing regime is being revamped, consequent on amendments to the Procurement Act, which was passed in Parliament recently.
The Finance Minister said the accompanying regulations will shortly be tabled and debated in the Houses of Parliament, thereby paving the way for the Commission’s establishment.
This, he added, will facilitate work on other measures that “we need to take to put the Procurement Commission in place.”
These will include recruiting suitable staff and undertaking the requisite training. Clarke emphasized the overall process “will usher in a new regime that will benefit many companies.”
Among the benefits, are measures that will facilitate greater participation by small and medium-sized Jamaican manufacturers in the public procurement process.
“So, when a procurement happens for a particular government product or service, there will be the opportunity to have differential treatment for small and medium-sized businesses that will make them more competitive in that procurement environment,” he said.
