His Excellency Eng. Jamal Abdulaziz Al Alawi, Secretary General of the Tender Board, participated as a keynote speaker at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Forum on Public Sector Integrity, which took place via videoconferencing with a group of experts and decision-makers from various countries.
During his speech, Al Alawi reviewed the Kingdom of Bahrain's experience in government procurement through the establishment of the Tender Board. He emphasized the Board's commitment to achieving the highest standards of transparency, integrity and fairness in government procurement operations through its electronic system. He explained that all tenders are offered and published electronically through the Board's official website ensuring equal opportunities and easy access to information for all suppliers and contractors. Bids are submitted electronically through the Board's tender system within specified deadlines, which helps maintain the organization and integrity of the process.
His Excellency also outlined key guarantees provided by the law and regulatory legislation, most notable the monthly publishing of awarding decisions, in addition to holding public sessions to open tenders, and publishing their results on the Board's website.
Al Alawi also addressed the importance of integrating systems with practices and legislation that promote integrity, values and professional ethics. The Board has sought to achieve this by requiring members of tender evaluation committees to obtain a qualification certificate, ensuring efficiency and professionalism in the evaluation process while adhering to the codes of conduct governing employees in the tender sector. To ensure justice, the Government Tender Law allows suppliers and contractors the right to submit grievances at any stage of the tender process. The Board prioritizes on the examination of these grievances and takes necessary actions to uphold all rights.
Al Alawi concluded: “Participating in international forums, which serve as an effective platform for exchanging experiences and the best practices between countries, contributes to developing governance systems and enhancing integrity in government procurement. These events facilitate constructive dialogue between experts and decision-makers to discuss challenges and innovate solutions that enhance transparency, justice, and trust in the public sector.” He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to continuous engagement with international initiatives to benefit from successful experiences and achieve the highest standards of efficiency and quality in government procurement operations.