Australia Government Procurement Agreement
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The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is a unique forum in which the governments of 30 market democracies work together to address the economic, social, environmental and governance challenges of the globalized global economy and seize the opportunities it offers. Australia`s participation in the GPA will ensure that our exporters and service providers have the right to compete on an equal footing in many foreign supply markets. This will make it easier for Australian companies to sell their products and services around the world. The GPA is a major international trade agreement that will open the door for Australian companies to enter public procurement, valued at more than $1.7 trillion. The recent review of the GPA, which has been in effect since 2014, has been cited as a key factor in the Australian government`s willingness to sign the agreement, according to the country`s Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, with Canberra calling for talks on GPA membership to begin in 2015. (See Update to Bridges Daily Update, December 16, 2011, and Bridges Weekly, April 10, 2014) The Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS) is an online system that promotes potential bidders with public contracts. GETS is managed by Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc. as MERX, which provides service to the federal government under contract. ICTSD reports; “Australia has accepted the WTO agreement on public procurement,” according to the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, China`s government procurement market alone is valued at $1.5 trillion.
Analysts and officials believe Australia`s membership could also make GPA participation more attractive to potential new parties. These are links to a number of other information about purchases and websites related to the activity. At the same time, a press release from Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham highlighted the different sectors in which Australian companies now have a better chance of applying for foreign government contracts.
