Page 453 - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

CHAPTER 16
2 To the extent possible and as appropriate, each Party endeavours
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT to make available and update the information referred to in
paragraph 1 through electronic means.

Article 16.1: Objectives 3. Each Party may specify in Annex 16A (Paper or Electronic Means
Utilised by Parties for the Publication of Transparency
The Parties recognise the importance of promoting the transparency of Information) the paper or electronic means utilised by that Party
laws, regulations, and procedures, and developing cooperation among to publish the information referred to in paragraph 1.
the Parties, regarding government procurement.
4. Each Party endeavours to make the information referred to in
paragraph 1 available in the English language.
Article 16.2: Scope

1. This Chapter shall apply to the laws, regulations, and procedures Article 16.5: Cooperation
of a Party regarding government procurement implemented by its
central government entities, as defined or notified by that Party The Parties endeavour to cooperate on matters relating to government
for the purposes of this Chapter. procurement with a view to achieving a better understanding of each
Party’s respective government procurement systems. Such cooperation
2. Nothing in this Chapter shall require a Least Developed Country may include:
Party to undertake any obligation regarding transparency and
cooperation. A Least Developed Country Party may benefit from (a) exchanging information, to the extent possible, on Parties’
cooperation among the Parties. laws, regulations, and procedures, and any modifications
thereof;

Article 16.3: Principles (b) providing training, technical assistance, or capacity
building to Parties, and sharing information on these
The Parties recognise the role of government procurement in furthering initiatives;
the economic integration of the region so as to promote growth and
employment. Where government procurement is expressly open to (c) sharing information, where possible, on best practices,
international competition, each Party, to the extent possible and as including those in relation to small and medium
appropriate, shall conduct its government procurement in accordance enterprises, including micro enterprises; and
with generally accepted government procurement principles as applied
by that Party. (d) sharing information, where possible, on electronic
procurement systems.

Article 16.4: Transparency
Article 16.6: Review
1. Each Party shall:
The Parties may review this Chapter within the period stipulated in Article
(a) make publicly available its laws and regulations; and 20.8 (General Review) with a view to improving this Chapter in the future
to facilitate government procurement, as agreed by the Parties.
(b) endeavour to make publicly available its procedures,

regarding government procurement, which may include
information on where tender opportunities are published.

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