Government approves bill to amend public procurement rules

The Ministry of Finance announced that the Government has approved a bill to amend and supplement the Public Procurement Law. The changes aim to modernize the system, strengthen transparency, increase competition and ensure more effective use of public funds.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the amendments were drafted based on the experience gained during the implementation of the Public Procurement Law to date, the need to adapt it to current economic circumstances, as well as the reform priorities set out in the Reform Agenda and the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

One of the key measures concerns fulfilling the obligations set out in the Reform Agenda. In this context, further improvements are envisaged for the electronic low-value procurement market in order to encourage its use and increase competition among economic operators. This measure is included among the reform activities to be carried out during 2026.

The draft amendments also provide that the selection of the most advantageous bid must use the criterion of the “best price-quality ratio.” This is one of the main activities of the Reform Agenda for 2027 and aims to ensure that institutions do not automatically focus solely on the bid with the lowest price, but also take into account its value, quality and long-term viability.

An important part of the reform is also devoted to the digitalization of public procurement. At the same time, the Public Procurement Bureau’s powers are being expanded to include the use of modern digital tools and solutions. These instruments will be used to monitor procedures more efficiently, identify risks and prevent potential abuses and corrupt practices, the Ministry of Finance said.

The amendments also establish the legal basis for providing online services and for the automatic exchange of data with other relevant institutions and entities.

The proposal also includes measures to increase the professionalism of personnel involved in public procurement. The current periodic recertification model, which is carried out through retaking the examination, will be replaced by a system of continuous professional development. Through this mechanism, employees will be able to continuously update their knowledge and skills in line with modern practices and European standards.

The Ministry of Finance assesses that the proposed legal solutions are part of efforts to build a more efficient, transparent and modern public procurement system aligned with European standards and the state’s reform priorities. According to the Ministry of Finance, the ultimate goal is to ensure greater value for public funds and provide higher-quality services to citizens.