Standard forms aim for public bid transparency
The Ministry of Economy and Finance on Monday announced the release of standardised bidding forms for public contracts, a measure it said would increase transparency and accountability, though the opposition and Transparency International Cambodia offered more cautious assessments yesterday. According to a state media announcement, the documents would be used across all ministries for procurement and new construction projects, and “will promote a transparent, accountable, fair and equal process and best use of the money at all [of the] government’s institutions”. … Though a step in the right direction, the ministry’s new forms are unlikely to serve as a cure-all for the Kingdom’s bidding woes, Transparency International Cambodia executive director Preap Kol said. … “Procurement in a country like Cambodia plays a huge role in corruption,” he continued, noting that firms should be proven to be free of ties to officials granting the contracts. “Without [scrutiny] . . . and sanctions for companies that violate those rules, the companies won’t comply,” he said. …
Stuart White
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/standard-forms-aim-public-bid-transparency
