World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement
Opening Business to International Competition
In most countries, the government, and the agencies it controls, are together the biggest purchasers of goods of all kinds, ranging from basic commodities to high-technology equipment. At the same time, the political pressure to favor domestic suppliers over their foreign competitors can be very strong. AnAgreement on Government Procurement was first negotiated during the World TradeOrganization (WTO) Tokyo Round [of trade negotiations] and entered into forceon January 1, 1981. Its purpose is to open up as much of this business aspossible to international competition. It is designed to make laws, regulations,procedures, and practices regarding government procurement more transparent…
