29 Mar 2015

All central government ministries, local authorities and parastatal organisations are directed to procure all their goods and services from locally-based manufacturers, service providers and agricultural producers with effect from April 1, 2015.

A press release from the Ministry of Trade and Industry said the goods and services should be competitively priced, satisfy tender requirements, meet quality standards and be supplied reliably.

The initiative, as per the release, was in line with the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) which started in April 2010 and is meant to promote industrial development by supporting local manufacturers, service providers and agricultural producers through the use of preference margins during tender evaluation.

Since this benefit applies equally to both citizen and non-citizen companies, the release says it is expected to promote both domestic and foreign investment into the country and also ensure that procuring entities give priority to purchasing all available local products from local enterprises.

“As a result, the enterprises will over time expand their production, improve their product quality and build required competitiveness for global markets.

It is further expected that this will enable the country to diversify the economy, create wealth, create employment and eradicate absolute poverty,” said the release.
 The comprehensive list of products covered by the EDD preferential treatment can be accessed from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. ENDS