The Malta Chamber insists on full transparency in public procurement and on the importance of observing good governance principles as well as providing an equal playing field to for all at all times. 

It was referring to the conclusions reached by the NAO report on the contract awarded to the JCL and MHC Consortium for a €274 million tender awarded to manage four blocks at Saint Vincent de Paul. The NAO expressed serious doubts on whether the deal secured value for money and also found that no political authorisation to enter into a negotiated procedure with the consortium was requested from and provided by the Parliamentary Secretaries involved.

As public procurement accounts for a substantial portion of the taxpayers’ money, governments are expected to carry it out efficiently and with high standards of conduct to ensure high quality of service delivery and safeguard the public interest, the chamber said in a statement

Earlier this year, The Malta Chamber published its Report on Public Procurement Reform listing 35 recommendations which ensure that the procurement process promotes ethical business and that the process is free from impropriety.  These include:

1.  the mandatory publication of a procurement outlook every 6 months in advance,

2.  the implementation of a public Contract Register which would also minute all modifications post-award, as well as

3.  the widening of the scope of PCRB’s competence to include a scrutiny of all direct orders.

Public procurement represents an important and significant component of business opportunities.  The Malta Chamber will continue advocating for the implementation of its Public Procurement Reform 2021 recommendations as it ensures a sound market based on ethical standards and fair competitivity.