Noureddine Bensouda, the General Treasurer of the Kingdom, affirmed on Tuesday in Rabat that the reform of the public procurement system is a catalyst for a deep and inevitable transformation in public finance management, according to Maghreb Press Agency MAP.
During the opening of the activities of a communication day on reforming the public procurement system, Bensouda underscored that the world is currently dealing with several cumulative crises. These global challenges have raised concerns about public procurement options and governance methods.
He also shed light on the attention given to public demand, particularly public procurement, due to budget challenges and associated expenses.
By directing demand to businesses and investing at the regional level, Bensouda said, the state hopes to produce high-quality goods and services while also supporting economic growth through public procurement, according to MAP.
The recent reform of the public procurement system aims to address fundamental issues and make broad improvements. It seeks to improve performance, achieve strategic goals, and boost transparency to gain citizens’ trust, said the General Treasurer.
Under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, this reform represents a significant step toward modernizing and optimizing public procurement management, added Bensouda.
He also clarified that the public procurement system had been part of financial reforms for years now, with a focus on optimizing spending for high-quality public services.
Bensouda explained that through public demand, the state played a role in creating opportunities for wealth creation, local value addition, and resource distribution.
In an interview with MoroccoLatestNews, Bensouda clarified, “Priority is given to Moroccan companies while respecting international agreements and allowing them to benefit from a budget of 300 billion dirhams for the year 2023, which relates to state and local public authorities and represents the capabilities of Moroccan businesses to participate in public procurement, whether it’s in terms of equipment purchases or services.”
He also emphasized that “These opportunities must be given within the framework of transparency, which is a principle found in the financial regulations. However, the implementation is carried out through this public procurement decree,” stressing, “It is necessary to give all the chance to participate in the public procurement system,” according to MoroccoLatestNews.
The conference was attended by representatives from public institutions, ministerial sectors, and representatives of territorial communities, all of whom are responsible for ensuring the practical, effective, and successful implementation of this decree, said Bensouda to MoroccoLatestNews.
On his part, the President of the National Federation for Testing, Monitoring, Measurement, and Public Works Laboratories, Aziz Fartahi, told MoroccoLatestNews “This study day will provide us with insights into the new developments in the public procurement sector, particularly in relation to the 2013 law.”
“The implementation of a new public procurement law will be dealt with through an online platform and public market portal, and it will enhance accessibility for small businesses and enterprises to participate in public procurement processes,” explained Fartahi.
He clarified that the implementation of digital processes, such as dematerialization of public procurement and electronic submission, will significantly enhance the business environment and transparency of public markets.
These advancements will yield effective performance and economic indicators that contribute to our country’s development and wealth generation, all under the directives of King Mohammed VI, explained
These changes will allow businesses to operate more efficiently, allowing them to cover their expenses while maintaining their business activities, concluded Fartahi in the interview with MoroccoLatestNews.
The communication day was organized by the General Treasury of the Kingdom in partnership with the National Business Climate Committee and the Entrepreneurship Promotion Project of the German Agency for International Cooperation.
The communication day program covered a wide range of topics, including the economic aspect of public procurement system reform as well as its role in social integration and sustainable development.
It also included discussions about sectoral integration, transparency, integrity, and accountability in public procurement, and the importance of digitization and training to support reform efforts.