Center for Social Research Analitika published a report entitled “Mapping of Key Obstacles to Equal Participation of Private Companies in Public Procurement in Bosnia and Herzegovina” based on findings of research conducted during 2014, with the aim of mapping the main obstacles faced by private companies in the public procurement in BiH.
Both the research and report are completed within the project “Open Public Procurement in Bosnia and Herzegovina” financed by the European Union, which is jointly implemented by the Centre for Investigative Reporting (CIN), Analitika - Centre for Social Research and Public Interest Advocacy Centre (CPI). The project is co-financed by the UK Government.
The respondents listed numerous shortcomings in the implementation of public procurement in BiH, resulting in derogation from the principles of competitiveness, transparency, non-discrimination and effective spending of public funds. The research results have, among others, shown that a significant number of companies consider that abuses and irregularities occur in preparation of tender documents, but also during the contract award and contract implementation.
The majority of respondents believe that corruption in the form of bribery or other types of abuse of public authority for personal gainis present in public procurement, and that one needs to have political and personal connection in order to win a public procurement contract. In addition, business community largely has no trust in the public procurement system, or in the mechanisms for sanctioning irregularities. Only a small number of business representatives would report corruption or irresponsible public spending, while the majority of the business community does not believe that efforts to fight corruption would have any results. A number of private companies justify the use of private and political connections to obtain jobs in the public procurement. A significant number of respondents believe that companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina are forced to participate in corruptive practices in order to survive in the market.
Data from this report identify key problems in public procurement system in BiH and can prove useful as guidance for decision makers in BiH working to improve the public procurement regulatory framework and practices.
The report in English is available HERE.
The report in local languages is available HERE.
