Understanding Global Procurement

Why are we looking at procurement globally, when collaboration between countries is so difficult?

• Ian Makgill, Founder, Spend Network

Analysing public procurement on a global scale is, in one sense, hiding to nothing. After all, how useful is it to directly compare contracting in Bejing with contracts let in Bourdeaux? The nature of public administration in both cases is so wildly different, that a direct comparison would be pointless.

But when we look at global problems: pandemic response, global warming, international trade and economic renewal then it makes sense to look at public contracting on a global basis.

Our analysis shows that public sector contracting accounts for nearly 10% of our global GDP, more than previously thought. This money can be used to combat climate change, grow economies and promote free trade, or it can be kept a secret from citizens and ignored as a lever for progress.

By comparing the performance of one country with another, it is possible to provide strong arguments and evidence for dynamic, efficient public markets that are committed to delivering better outcomes for citizens.

So whilst contracting in one country might not be directly comparable to the contracting in another, an understanding of global activity allows us a small insight into some of the ways we might tackle some of humanity’s biggest challenges.

You can read our report on global public procurement, in partnership with Open Contracting Partnership, here

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