A bill to modify the law that regulates public contracting was presented, which contemplates among its changes to benefit micro, small and medium enterprises, with smaller purchases at the national level.

According to the Minister of Finance, the current regulation does not have mechanisms that allow price analysis, market investigations, citizen complaints, participation of civil society and the private sector, in addition to accountability, transparency, the obligation to open contracts and the disclosure of information.

From the MEF statement:

July 31, 2019. In order to strengthen the framework legislation for the purchase of goods and services in the public sector and at the same time guarantee greater efficiency, transparency and modernize institutions, the Minister of Economy and Finance (MEF), Hector Alexander, presented before the plenary of the National Assembly the project that modifies Law 22 of June 27, 2006 that regulates public contracts.

In his explanatory statement, Minister Alexander stated that, although this law has been the object of multiple reforms since its inception, there are still some transgressions to the principle of transparency and due process, which facilitated the non-rational use of public funds.

He stressed that the current law does not have mechanisms that allow price analysis, market research, citizen complaints, participation of civil society and the private sector, in addition to accountability, transparency, the obligation of open contracts and disclosure of information.