10. World Bank Approves US$60 million Development Policy Loan for Dominican Republic: As reported by World Bank, Dominican Republic has been approved for a US$60 million Development Policy Loan. The loan will support the country’s development strategy which aims to enhance transparency and monitoring of government operations and strengthen the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public procurement projects.
9. Caribbean Development Bank to Establish Regional Procurement Center: As reported by Supply Management online news, the Caribbean Development Bank will be opening a regional procurement center to enhance public procurement transparency and provide education for procurement professionals across the Caribbean. The center will be delivered under the Program for Improved Public Investment Management through Sustainable Public Procurement Capacity Building. The story notes that the center plans on expanding to also include research services, policy support and networking services for procurement professionals.
8. First Phase of Dam Rehabilitation Project Complete: As reported by the St. Lucia Times, Water & Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) has completed the first phase of the John Compton Dam de-silting and Rehabilitation project. WASCO is a government owned company mandated by law to develop and manage the water supply and sewage services in St. Lucia. The dam rehabilitation project “has been carried out in keeping with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) procurement rules which require no objections from the CDB before proceeding from one stage to the next.” The tendering process is now underway for the second phase of the project.
7. World Bank Approves US$15 million Grenada Development Policy Credit and Loan: As reported by World Bank, Grenada has been approved for a US$15 million Development Policy Credit and Loans (DPC/DPL). World Bank notes that, “this financing builds on the reforms supported under the first DPC/DPL in a series of three and is aligned with the Government’s national development strategy which aims to accelerate economic growth, restore fiscal and debt sustainability, strengthening financial stability and improve social development indicators.” The objective of the DPC/DPL is to modernize Grenada’s public sector by strengthening their public procurement system. World Bank also notes that the funding will support the development of a new policy for Public Private Partnerships.
6. Trinidad and Tobago Health Minister to Review Drug Procurement: According to a report in The Guardian, Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister has commented that the country’s drug procurement cycle is out of sync with international suppliers’ manufacturing cycles. The Health Minister commented that “by the time we read the budget, monies are allocated by November, the manufacturers go on vacation and shut down in November and December.” The story notes that the Health Minister recommends aligning the procurement cycle for pharmaceuticals with international supplier manufacturing.
5. IDB Approves Jamaica’s Use of Electronic Procurement System: As reported by the Jamaican Observer, the Inter-American Development Bank has approved Jamaica to use electronic procurement systems on bank-financed projects. IDB noted that this approval was a result of Jamaica’s compliance with international standards and best practices and will expedite contracting processes by “avoiding duplication and reducing transaction costs.” The IPD approval covers various systems including framework agreements and reverse auctions.
4. Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Considers Regional Health Insurance: As reported by Caribbean 360 News, OECS members are considering pooled health care financing after achieving significant cost savings with joint purchasing for the procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. The Minister of Health notes that OECS’s success with joint purchasing is illustrative of how regional cooperation can benefit states.
3. Jamaica Launches Electronic Procurement System: The Jamaican Observer reports that Jamaica’s Ministry of Finance and Planning has launched the country’s first electronic procurement system with the hope to enhance transparency and efficiency in public procurement. Launched with the theme, “Faster, Easier and More Efficient Way of Doing Business,” the article notes that the system will standardize procurement practices, enhance management and promote supplier engagement.
2. Trinidad and Tobago Introduce Whistleblower Legislation: The Antigua Observer reports that the Trinidad and Tobago government has introduced Whistleblower Protection legislation to tackle corruption. Currently before Parliamentary Committee for review and intended to improve detection and conviction rates, the legislation would introduce fines and jail time for individuals who seek to prevent others from reporting criminal activity.
1. Trinidad and Tobago’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act in Force: As reported in The Guardian, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act came into force on January 14, 2015. The story notes that this Act was created to reform the country’s procurement laws and promote integrity, transparency, accountability in public procurement. The Act applies to public bodies and public private partnership agreements. The Act also establishes the Office of Procurement Regulation as the governing body for public procurement and public property disposal and retention.
