The electronic procurement system is one of the most useful tools to increase the transparency of public procurement and the efficiency of using public money. The new electronic system launched by the Ministry of Finance by the end of 2016 aims to bring more transparency, reduce the administrative burden on the private sector, and generate savings for public authorities. This is the opinion expressed in the 15 minutes of economic realism by Diana Enachi, an economist at IDIS Viitorul.

In its opinion, the electronic procurement system will reduce bureaucracy and gradually "disappear" the paper, which will not only ease the work of the specialists and the working group on purchases but will make the procurement process more efficient. " Electronic purchasing systems is the selection of winners according to the lowest price criterion, which often does not ensure an adequate quality and contravenes the "value for money" principle. However, MTender will allow both the lowest price and the most economically advantageous tender to be used. "

"At present, the system is in the pilot phase for low-value purchases (goods and services - up to 80,000 lei, works - up to 100,000) and contracting authorities are voluntarily registered, with a test period available. Although more than 3 months have elapsed since launching, the involvement and involvement of public authorities in the system is rather modest. Accordingly, there were only 7 contracting authorities, which carried out 20 procedures, which raises doubts about the openness and transparency of public authorities, "Enachi said.

In conclusion, Diana Enachi said there is a direct dependence between transparency, competition in the sector and efficiency. Conversely, when the transparency of procurement procedures increases, the confidence and the degree of private participation in procurement procedures increase, which increases competition. But healthy competition leads to that "value for money", that is, quality services and products at competitive prices.

Authorities say that as of March 2018, the system will be fully operational, binding on all contracting authorities, and will cover the whole procurement cycle - from planning to the management and implementation of public procurement contracts.

The show is made by IDIS Viitorul in partnership with Radio Free Europe.

For further details, please contact the press officer, Victor URSU, at the following address: ursu.victoor@gmail.com or at 069017396.