The CARICOM Secretariat continues its series of national consultations in Member States to advance the implementation of the Community Procurement Regime within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). On Tuesday, January 19, Belize wrapped up its two-day consultation that focused on the system requirements and infrastructure for a fully functioning Community Public Procurement Notice Board (CPPNB). The (CPPNB) is the electronic platform and system that will be established for the publication of all procurement opportunities in Member States. These consultations are being funded under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).

A key objective of the national consultations is to develop national procurement advertising portals for Member States with no e-procurement systems. This is to facilitate the exchange of information on procurement opportunities and contract awards in a fully functioning and integrated CSME procurement market. Other aims include assisting Member States in developing national work plans for implementing the CSME Public Procurement Work Programme.

The first set of consultations and meetings which were held between November and December 2015 covered Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Barbados. The remaining Member States should be completed over the next few months.