DAR ES SALAAM - East African procurement regulators start a three-day meeting here today to discuss ways of increasing reforms and streamlining operations to overcome daily challenges.

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority CEO Ramadhan Mlinga told journalists that in so doing participants would be equipped with skills on how to ensure better procurement results in the region.

"The forum will offer an opportunity for us to share experiences and knowledge across the region to improve public procurement systems, ” he said. It is the third time for the region to hold such a meeting. The first forum was held in Uganda in 2008 and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority hosted it.

Kenya’s Public Procurement Oversight Authority hosted the event last year. The Dar es Salaam forum will also be attended by public procurement professionals and members of the private sector and civil society organisations.

The theme of the event is ‘Looking Beyond Compliance – Promoting better procurement outcomes’. The forum will cover issues such as how member states can comply with procurement rules and how to improve the performance in public procurement. (Samuel Kamndaya)

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