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Mukudzei Chingwere, Herald Reporter
The Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) will enhance collaborations with other Government agencies to speed the harmonisation of public procurement standards to bring them into line with those of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
PRAZ chief executive officer Mr Clever Ruswa announced the plans at the end of the two-day 4th Annual Public Procurement Conference held in Victoria Falls on Monday and Tuesday.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga was the keynote speaker at the conference where he told participants to uphold the highest ethical standards, enhance transparency and shun vices like corruption.
Mr Ruswa said the AfCFTA presented unprecedented opportunities and it was therefore the responsibility of stakeholders to leverage these in a manner that promoted equity, transparency and environmental stewardship.
The conference thus resolved that “the authority will enhance collaborations with other Government agencies on the harmonisation of public procurement standards under AfCFTA”.
It also resolved to pursue the “development of a comprehensive sustainable public procurement strategy that is in sync with the country’s long-term developmental agenda”, and the enhancement of the appeals processes through the ongoing legal amendments, to assume a prominent role in preventing and combating fraud and corruption in public contracts and to enhance the eGP system by embracing global artificial intelligence trends.
“The authority will work with public procurement practitioners to enable them to take advantage of the AfCFTA and capacitate the practitioners on the implications of the ongoing currency reforms in the public procurement processes,” said Mr Ruswa.
The conference witnessed vibrant exchange of ideas among speakers from Europe, America and Africa.
Mr Ruswa said their insights had illuminated the path for sustainable procurement, highlighting its critical role in fostering economic growth and development.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our keynote speaker, the Honourable Vice President Dr Chiwenga for gracing us with his presence and for emphasising the importance of collaboration in our procurement efforts.
“His message was clear to all of us here, as he highlighted and contextualised our role and the theme of this conference. His support underscores the Government’s vision of building a robust procurement framework that empowers our communities and drives meaningful change,” said Mr Ruswa.
Online Reporter