THE government is moving to further digitise and modernise the procurement process, by the introduction of online systems to make government tenders and requests for proposals more accessible, efficient and transparent.
Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, revealed this during interview, noting that the eProcure website, launched in February, has centralised government’s expressions of interest, requests for proposals and other procurement opportunities in one location.
According to the minister, the platform eliminates the need for contractors and businesses to rely solely on newspaper advertisements to identify government procurement opportunities.
“Now you can go to one website, which is the eProcure website, and you can get all of government tenders and requests for proposals,” Minister Ally explained.
Moreover, the minister emphasised that the initiative is also bringing greater transparency and efficiency to the procurement process, while making it easier for businesses to access available opportunities.
Minister Ally further disclosed that government is preparing to move to a fully digital procurement system, where contractors and small businesses will no longer have to physically submit bids.
The planned procurement portal will allow bids to be submitted electronically, while also enabling bidders to track the status and progress of their submissions.
The move forms part of government’s broader efforts to modernise public-sector systems, improve efficiency and strengthen transparency in the delivery of government services and opportunities. (DPI)